Easter Weekend - Independent training

Well with only 2 weeks to go and a whole 4 day weekend to go out walking we still were not able to gather for a team walk... so it was up to each of us to do our own individual walks! Besides a short walk out in the east on the Friday, Avril and her support crew and friends decided to head over to Rangitoto for a walk on Easter Monday. Rangitoto is a small island right off the coast of Auckland- another volcanic hill! It is an iconic sight from most of the east coast.... a beautiful sight seen by most Aucklanders on a daily basis.... but rarely visited!

It was a perfect day... with lots of cloud, but remained dry! Why is cloud perfect? Well on Rangitoto there is mostly dark volcanic type granite rock which when the sun is shining radiates heat from below... thus making walking twice as hot!
We headed over to Rangitoto on an early morning ferry and made a day of it bringing picnic lunch and swimming costumes too! After an hours walk up to the top of the hill and around the summit we headed another hour out towards Islington Bay before stopping for lunch. Those braver souls ventured into the cold water for a swim, whilst others headed over to the adjoining island to see what it was like! But being conscious of time constraints and meeting ferries we all decided to head back to the ferry port via the coastal route! This was a much rougher path and obviously less travelled, but had some very beautiful views out to little bays and across to Auckland city.
It was a lovely day out that was enjoyed by all who came!