Feb 1 Picnic yesterday - What a great day!

(edit 1 - 2020-02-02 9:30pm) - added more photos, courtesy of Dianne)

We started off with fairly uncertain weather yesterday for the picnic - it was windy and cloudy here in Johnsonville in the morning, with a bit of light drizzle - but as we drove north of Upper Hutt to the Pakuratahi valley, it started to fine up as we got closer. Sure enough, the sun broke out, and the picnic couldn't have gone better!

caption: Alex and Jack

 I think we had a record breaking group size; I counted more than thirty people (and three dogs!). Really good turn out, and thanks to everyone for making the day a success. A few people who had cancelled ended up coming as well (thanks, Brian & Harrison). A few faces we haven't seen for a (long) while, as well, and two people from my running group turned up, always up for a good walk (thanks Cameron & Sarah). Well met and well done!

caption: Getting into costume, and getting into character

But the biggest thank you, once again, goes to Kathy for bringing her fabulous costumes. Her collection of costumes has become really something. If you want a personal cosplay session, drop her a line, or visit her at The One Room LOTR Fan Museum in Newtown. She'd love to host you!

( http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz/ )


The park was starting to get a bit busier with other visitors, and we had more than a few sets of curious eyes cast at us. One young mother with her two kids wanted to take photos of us, but I convinced them to join us on the walk, in costume. Nice going!

Brand new members! (© Dianne)

Alex took a few photos of the walk and the picnic - here's some (if you're only seeing one picture here, you may have to click on the link to get back to www.welly-moot.com for the rest).

[edit: Also included are Dianne's pictures (as marked " © Dianne"))

caption: Crossing the swingbridge

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

(© Dianne)

Picnic

My costume didn't have pockets, so I didn't have my camera with me. I'm relying on other people to send me the best pictures. Contact me on facebook or send them to me here on jack@welly-moot.com - I'm more than happy to post them here.

Walk to Rivendell event, photo report

The weather for our event was fantastic on Saturday the 15th, it wasn't too hot, and it wasn't too cold - just perfect!

At 10am we met at the Pakuratahi Forks car-park, where the Pakuratahi Stream merges with the Hutt River, and where the Swing-bridge crosses it.

Kathy had brought all of the One Room Museum's costume collection with her, and made it available to the group.

Pretty much everyone took Kathy up on her generous offer, and although it took a little longer than planned to get into all our costumes, we eventually crossed the Swing-bridge at around 11:00am.

 

After gathering everyone together, we set off on our walk through the Kaitoke forest.

After a pleasant walk, we returned to the car-park to retrieve our picnics, and spread out the blankets on the lawn beside the filming locations of Rivendell.

 Once everyone was satiated, we had a good look around the Rivendell area itself, and took the opportunity to get some great photos of everyone, including the inevitable group photo, thanks to a helpful passerby.

The after-picnic coffee & tea session was held by roughly half of the group, at Emily house, who left a little earlier in order to get the fresh cream and homemade ice-cream and cakes ready.

All in all, a great day, and a very successful picnic! I'm keen to repeat it next week - let me know your thoughts!

  - Jack

PS - if you're reading this on Facebook, and can't see the photos, you'll have to visit https://www.welly-moot.com/2018/12/walk-to-rivendell-event-photo-report.html