One Summer Saturday

Karori and the local spots nearby often get left out of my blog, but I thought it would be fun to share a bit of home. A couple weekends ago, we finally had some summer weather, and I grabbed my camera as Andy and I set out for a picnic in Aro Valley.

Here’s the view up our street in Karori.

Wellington’s “summer” this year has been a bit temperamental and unpredictable, so we have to jump at any sunny, warm weather we get.

We made for Karori Tunnel, built in 1900. To make sure no one questions its stability, there’s also a plaque stating, “Strengthened 2012.” This tunnel through the hill was partly responsible for Karori becoming one of NZ’s biggest suburbs, making it far more accessible to the citizens of rapidly expanding Wellington. Previously, the only option was to go up and over the hill.

Around the next bend, we came to another Wellington architectural feat, the Kelburn Viaduct, far ahead of its time when construction was finished in 1931. Here’s the view, 86 years later.

Just before Kelburn center, we branched off to take the stairs down into Aro Valley, the same way we walk Higgs in to doggy daycare twice a week. These stairs are far more enjoyable on the way down than on the way up, let me tell you!

Even though we pass these houses on Norway Street all the time, I still can’t get enough.

We meandered down Aro Street, the hippie capital of Wellington.

We turned right onto Epuni Street, the old route I used to take to Brooklyn when I first came to Wellington, uphill to Tanera Park.

Perfect spot for a picnic!

Yum! Note to self, though: don’t bring crumbly blue cheese to the next picnic.

Since this spot is also a dog park, we had an old lab named Dorothy drooling just next to our blanket. Her owners kept calling her away, and really, who can get mad at a dog named Dorothy? We assured them we understood, having our own mooch hound at home.

After eating our fill, we packed up and made for the Garage Project Taproom in the heart of Aro Valley. Garage Project is a local craft brewery constantly churning out new, creative and delicious beers. We always stop in at the cellar door, but this was our first visit to the bar. Pretty cool spot!

We did have a Vallhund at home, after all, so we made our way home before too long.

Poor Higgs missed this guy (or gal) crossing our path:

This house has had letters outside for months. We keep guessing what they’ll ultimately spell. Tower? Wrote? Maybe they’re just initials?

And the stairs themselves even have something to say.

Truer words were never written.

The shaded tree-lined streets of Kelburn are always a relief after the sunny uphill climb.

And back to that viaduct.

Back home, it was the perfect day to enjoy our back garden.

It wasn’t easy to get that photo.

I tried for something more stationary next – our beautiful multi-colored hydrangeas.

It was high time for a certain stinky beast to get a bath. I decided to shame him by shooting the whole thing. Too good not to share!

Higgs isn’t a big fan of baths, but he looooves drying off afterwards. The world is his towel.

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of one beautiful summer Saturday in Wellington. Everyone always says you can’t beat Wellington on a good day, and I won’t argue with that.