Kell Park - Kaipatiki

Sunday brought the North Shore Nordic Walkers cold autumnal weather, it was a grey and cloudy start, but at the end of our walk the sun had cracked through. We met in the library car park at Kell Park, Albany. This park is becoming quite a favourite walk, it’s fairly flat and runs adjacent to Lucas Creek. I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before but Albany is actually from the Gaelic name Alba, which is the Gaelic name for Scotland.

The Landing used in the past as a terminus for boats travelling to and from Auckland

I did organise a trip to Albany Trig, it’s actually across the road from Kell Park, but the pathway is being repaired at the moment and it’s very slippery underfoot. If you do visit the Trig, take somebody with you as it’s very steep in places and you will have to cross the creek; there is no bridge but it is do-able just take your time and stick to the path. If you make it across there is a lovely waterfall with a picnic table and seats situated just opposite the fall.

To start the walk we turned left and down the steps, turning left again at the bottom of the steps and over the bridge. Walking through the park and past the houses on the left then continuing along the path and onto the Landing area.

Lucas Creek

In the past there was a small Pa situated North of Lucas Creek where Maori would hunt for crayfish and eel, the land around this area was known as Kaipatiki which means 'to eat flounder', or the 'feeding ground of the flounder'.

Many wharves were built around the Landing as water travel was the most common way to transport goods, to travel to and from Auckland, and to travel around the North Shore. The Landing certainly became the most used terminus but was demolished in the 1930’s and has over the years been developed as a residential area.

Massey, Albany Campus

Taking a a right turn once we emerged from The Landing we continued following the footpath along the Albany Highway past Albany Campus, Massey University on the left.

We walked down Bass Road and through the streets to Kinleith Way, had a joke about dropping in for a cuppa at Margaret’s house but pushed on, eventually walking through a small entrance between the houses, following the path alongside the Creek.

The bush and trees along this pathway are full of birds, and it’s interesting to note that many of the  properties overlooking the Creek are laden at this time of year with fruit. I had never seen citrus fruit growing in gardens before I moved to NZ.  Even in Greece and other European countries the fruits I have seen are generally grown in orchards.

The Creek Surrounded by Native Trees and Bush

We crossed the Creek at a small bridge taking the path back onto Albany Highway and  walked back towards The Landing. Small platforms or jetties have been erected along the waterside presumably for fishing and there quite a few ducks out on the water.

The Massey Campus car park was deserted - a strong contrast to what it normally looks like during the week.  Built over 15 years ago the Campus is a huge establishment with a Spanish architectural theme, it’s one of the most modern Universities in New Zealand.

Canon at the top of the Flying Fox

We ambled along the pathway and back into Kell Park where we stopped for while and watched Pam E chicken out of riding the Flying Fox, but I spotted a white duck out on the water so we headed over to take a look. Its a great place to take the kids with a huge slide and cannon for them to explore.

Wooden Sculpture at Albany

We finally made our way across the grass to the children’s play area and had chat by the  bronze sculpture in Albany village square but somehow our cafe arrangements got confused and Cindy and David wandered down the road whilst the rest of us had a muffin and a beverage at the Opium Cafe.  
The lifesize rooster and chair was created by a local artist Joanne Sullivan-Gessler in 2004. It appears that the rooster has attracted some attention from thieves in the past and the life sized sculpture has had a couple of attempted thefts. It must be really heavy and I can't imagine that it would be easy to remove without the use of some kind of equipment.

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'Balance' Rooster Sculpture at Albany Village Square

Anyway I had  a berry smoothie and someone asked what was in it. Apparently it is made of berry concentrate and vanilla powder mixed with ice. Think I may stick with Lemon & Ginger tea on our next visit.

It’s worth mentioning at the end of this week’s blog that I did actually go out on Saturday night to a party, and was rather jaded on Sunday morning. After our walk and on returning home I found I had spent the whole morning walking with my pants on inside out and nobody told me!  Seems that wearing your clothes inside out is supposed to be very lucky, not sure who for though!

Next Sunday I will have the said walking pants back on the right way around!

Information & Sources

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/localboards/devonporttakapunalocalboard/northshorethematicreviewvol2ch6end.pdf

http://www.harboursport.co.nz/site/harsport/files/ACOM/albanyandlucascreek.pdf

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/international/about-massey_home/masseys-campuses.cfm