All things great and small

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

Its been more than a week since my last entry, due to a full and eventful few days away. 

I have been reflecting on the tiny seemingly insignificant things that can have a big impact or leave a lasting message, along with some huge things, that can be just as powerful. From little delicate blossoms adorned with twinkling due, to the majestic vastness of an alpine mountain range. 

We had a taste of both winter and adventure over the time we were away. This morning was a balmy 1 degree when I stepped outside to take my picturesque lakeside walk at 7am. For the first time in many months I wore layers of merino and a wool head band and gloves. It was still, peaceful, idyllic and FREEZING!  and I  LOVED it. I could have just kept walking, and walking- taking great lungful's of the crisp clean air, absorbing the beauty and relishing the time out and change of pace. My poor husband has been suffering with a dreadful flu the entire time so wasn't able to participate in everything or enjoy it as much as he'd hoped to. 

A couple of days ago (2 days later than planned due to weather conditions) my elder daughter and I walked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing- a renowned and challenging day hike, reaching over 1800M at its highest point, and a distance of just over 20KM. The landscape was breathtakingly dramatic and each segment of the trail was so very different from the last. The Journey takes you from boardwalks though alpine scenes, up craggy loose rack faces, incorporates views of volcanic wonders- craters and vibrant green Sulphur lakes, tough climbs, slippery descents, rising above the clouds where the air is thinner and so pure, back down through scrub, then the tree line, then damp dense bush. 

The feeling of space and awe, despite the many other hikers on the trail with us that day, left me in no doubt of the sense of something much greater than us at work on earth. The sense of accomplishment after years of wanting to tackle it- not to mention after the disappointment of having to postpone on the Friday (High winds- gale force, heavy rain and visibility of 20M meant it simply wasn't safe to attempt on the day we'd originally planned) and the relief of finally see my husband waiting for us at the end. So so proud of my girl for achieving it too. We got back to where we were staying to a sunny uplifting late afternoon, so to revive us we took the jetski on the lake- fresh! And I sat talking to my youngest on the jetty, dipping out legs (Mine very tired!) in the cold clear water, allowing the healing rejuvenating power to revive my feet and telling her of the mountain adventure. Such special moments I will treasure. 

And so on to a new week, a new school term, and more adventure. Our daughter is off on camp tomorrow, so we unpacked from our trip and repacked- named everything  and checked the gear lists.

SO many life affirming moments in so few days, its a lot to take in. So I will take a day or so to digest and reflect on it all and re look at the (Many!)photographs fondly. 

So very grateful.