Ngaio Gorge - 2 decades later

20 plus years ago, when my family used to live in Wadestown, we were regularly dragged on walks up Ngaio Gorge. It was a rugged minimally-pathed track, requiring walkers to make their way both up the stream and on top of large water pipes when the water got too deep / dark. There was a rocky path running alongside the stream for about 100m before stopping leaving you either to bush-bash further up the stream, or up hike up to Ngaio. This is after the cliff-hanging descent from Wadestown, down a goat track and across the railway line on an uneven lopsided rickety bridge (avoid using the hand rail, it´ll only take you with it onto the track below).

I discovered on Monday how long 20 years is (Ed´s note - yep, it´s official, you´re old!) as huge improvements have been made to the path and it´s now a respectable dog walking, family-friendly track running right the way through to Crofton Downs. There is no death-by-hand-rail on offer, but a fish ladder and an historic powder magazine and signs telling you all about them. Huge kudos to the various parties involved in the improvements.

The delight I had running up this new track completely made up for the run from the centre of town, through the industrial area of Thorndon (running on the pavement for heaven´s sake!), and fortunately provided me with the excuse to stop and take photos as I ascended the Crow´s Nest above Ngaio. I always forget how hard I find that ascent - I´m sure it doesn´t get any easier - I just get faster at it! (That´s my story and I´m sticking with it!)

I returned home, delighted to have covered the 15kms in 2.5hrs. No records broken but it´s one hell of a hill and my hip´s still not playing the game. Physio tomorrow. As long as she doesn´t touch it (or my leg or my obliques) she´ll never know it´s not back to 100%.