Many Ryman residents enjoy walking regularly, so getting outside and meeting residents from other villages for inter-village walks as part of Walking for Wellness, Ryman’s 2022 Active Ageing event, is very popular.
All New Zealand residents who join the intervillage walks are participating in Walking for Wellness, where they will virtually walk the 60km Abel Tasman Coastal Track over 30 days during the month of October. At the same time, our Australian residents will virtually walk 60km along the Mornington Peninsula.
Participants are all registered on the ‘My Virtual Mission’ app, which will enable them to track their progress and that of other residents towards completing their virtual mission. They will track their steps using their phone or pedometer.
In the meantime, residents are busy training for the event! Below are some intervillage walks that residents have enjoyed so far. More are planned, so watch this space!
Auckland - Round the Bays
Residents from 10 Auckland villages showed their dedication by turning up in their dozens for an inter-village Round the Bays walk.
There was no waiting around – the 80-plus residents got cracking as soon as they arrived at the starting point to rack up the 8km round trip as soon as they were able.
Weather-wise, there was a definite chill in the air and the skies were overcast, but the key thing is that the rain stayed away – let’s face it, we’ve seen our fair share of precipitation this winter!
Highlights along the way included the intrepid dog walker wrangling 10 pooches out of her vehicle for toileting and a walk, catching up with familiar faces from other villages, and a few double takes from passers-by who stopped to marvel at the sheer number of residents out for a walk!
And let’s not forget to mention the superb morning tea, provided by the ever-cheerful Gerlie and Keefe from Logan Campbell!
Our Auckland walkers in action!
Wellington - Wright's Hill Reserve
Wellington decided to turn on a great day for our Walking for Wellness inter-village walk and although it was chilly, we had an enthusiastic group from Malvina Major, Bob Scott and some very keen walkers from Charles Fleming village who drove down from Waikanae!
With several well-formed tracks to choose from there was something for everyone in the walk around Wright’s Hill Reserve, way up high in Karori. We discovered a bit of history by looking into the huge gun emplacements that guarded Wellington harbour during wartime. Then we were treated to one of the best views of Wellington, stretching from Mt Kaukau and the Orongorongo and Remutaka Ranges in the north, Wellington harbour and Matiu / Somes Island and Cook Strait to the south.
Residents enjoyed pointing out city landmarks from the lookout. We couldn’t see the snow today, but we knew it was there!
There was birdlife galore, being on the boundary of Zealandia and standing tall were the giant windmills on the south coast. On the way back some savvy walkers pointed out the Kaikōura Mountains of Te Wai Pounamu / South Island.
Some of the walkers had never been there before and were keen to return and explore some more.
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Our Wellington walkers enjoying the view
Christchurch
Despite the grey and chilly weather, we had a great turnout of residents for the Christchurch Walking for Wellness August inter-village walk.
Residents from several villages in the Christchurch region met at Canterbury Museum, and from there split into two groups, depending on how far they wanted to walk.
Group one were off and racing as they walked around the entire perimeter of Hagley Park, taking in some of the focal points along the way such as the Pegasus Arms pub and Antigua Boatsheds.
Group two set an easier pace and walked a shorter distance through the Botanical Gardens, with plenty of chat and camaraderie.
Regardless of where they walked, our colourful groups of residents certainly brightened up a winter’s day!
Our colourful Christchurch walkers ready to go
