December 2016

Festive Greetings everyone and welcome to the last Chat Sheet of the year.

Thank You to Sharyn our administrator extraordinaire, the Committee, our Chat Sheet contributors and all who’ve made our 2016 adventures so much fun!

Thank You too, to all those who responded to the Questionnaire in September’s Chat Sheet. Sarah Cook has summarized your feedback on page 5. Your WIA Committee

Note: Sport closes on Thursday 22 December and reopens on Monday 16 January

Chaddy’s Charters

We did it...a bit foggy, warm and a little wet but we got back before the constant rain.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip, some were first timers, some had enjoyed the trip many years ago. Thanks to Dave for his entertaining dialogue and sharing of his love and knowledge of the sea and the area we visited. He linked it well with talking about the displays at Tawhiti Museum near Hawera. No one took up his offer to take the wheel...we were still getting used to the rolling boat and spray!

A great morning's adventure followed by hot drinks and good company. Thank you to Christine Brown for organizing.

- Sue Fraser

Quiz with a Twist

It was Quiz Day, and what a day to have loads of fun and laughter.

Glenys, with her wonderful organisational skills, ran a great day for all of us. We were placed into groups of 4 or 5 and the different types of quizzes followed over the afternoon. Also the prizes were enjoyed by all.

The afternoon whizzed by in my opinion, which indicated to me it was an enjoyable afternoon.

A break halfway for a delicious afternoon tea, for which the food and nibbles were provided by us all.

Thanks Glenys for a great day.

- Barbara Garrett

Reviews September - November 2016 [email protected] Page 1 of 6 Pukeiti

A large group of Women in Action ladies met up, filled up the cars of willing drivers and set off for Pukeiti.

I was very impressed with the huge new signs announcing we had arrived at Pukeiti and fortunately we had fine weather for our walk around the grounds. We had a quick catch up with one of the groundsmen who told us the massive upgrade should be finished next year. Going by what has been done already it will be very impressive and well worth a visit.

We enjoyed a leisurely walk around the gardens for an hour and had pictures taken at the ‘room’ where you can sit and read some magazines in the sun. There are several new towers so you can view the gardens from above and the tracks have all been renewed and offer mud free walking.

Once we had completed our walk we then travelled to the Okato Hotel to be sweetened up with chocolate cake or muffin and a drink. A lovely little destination and we had a guided tour of the rest of the hotel and its accommodation, a great place for a night or two away.

Thanks to Carmel for organising our excursion. I will definitely be going back to Pukeiti with family and friends to check out the progress.

- Rosemary Hairy Feet Waitomo

On Saturday 24th September twenty-five women were gathered to visit one of the film location sites used for the troll and campfire scenes in the Hobbit movie. Twelve were in the van and staying overnight in Piopio. Thirteen were in cars and returning to that afternoon.

Off we went, meeting again at the Fat Pigeon’ Café. After drinks and snacks, some went to get some exercise up the main street of Piopio. However when the rest of the group got back to the vehicles the first group were nowhere in sight. After a few minutes they were seen emerging from a shop with purchases in hand!

Then we were off again to the Waitanguru Falls. What a spectacular water fall. The rushing water falling from such height. A bit of a climb up all the steps back to the vehicles. We all know there were 146 steps as one of the group counted them. In convoy we drove back to Hairy Feet Waitomo and watched a slide show about how Hairy Feet came about. A site location manager was flown by helicopter around possible locations and selected 3 or 4 for Peter Jackson and crew to make the final selection.

They viewed the site and realized that the natural environment had so much to offer in the way of irregular shaped rocks and trees, a natural habitat for Hobbits. Then the scene developers added some polystyrene rocks and further unique trees to create the perfect environment.

We were divided into two groups and each had a tour leader. They showed us specific locations with photographs showing excerpts of the movie and the key spots where these shots were taken. We could all see why this area was chosen e.g. the high jagged cliffs, the unusual shaped trees full of epiphytes and the irregular boulders.

Reviews September - November 2016 [email protected] Page 2 of 6 The tour leaders were family members who were enthusiastic and passionate about telling their story and contribution to the movie. They shared their experiences e.g. 500 movie workers were billeted or leased houses in and around Piopio and what happened between ‘takes’.

A group of 16 women went to walk around the Mangaotaki Scenic Reserve and the rest returned to New Plymouth. The next day, those who stayed overnight in the Owls Nest visited the Pirongia Market and then returned home.

This was an excellent trip and enjoyed by all. Thank you to Carmel for the organisation and thank you to the car drivers.

- Lorraine G

Move It Or Lose It

On a grey looking Saturday morning 17 ladies went along to a Move It or Lose It exercise class run by Gloria.

It was a fun way to start the day and it didn’t take us long to warm up and even less time to start to feel the muscles that hadn’t been worked for a while.

We started with cardio then moved onto core muscle groups and finished up doing floor exercises and then stretches.

Gloria runs classes in Oakura, Bell Block and Waitara. I would highly recommend trying one – it would be a fun way to keep active.

Thanks Bernie for a well organised morning.

- Raewyn Hunt

Ohawe Beach Walk

On a somewhat dull day 11 of us headed down Hawera’s Ohawe Beach. I hadn’t been there before but it was a great walk.

Our first sight when we were almost down the hill and on the beach was looking back up at the small waterfalls. There were a few more along the way. The wind was quite cool, but we all enjoyed the 5km walk ending up at the river mouth where one whitebaiter stood hopefully.

There were a few streams to cross and at the last one I didn’t want to get wet feet so Sarah (much to the amusement of everyone) decided the best way was to pick me up and lift me over as I’m a light weight.

Reviews September - November 2016 [email protected] Page 3 of 6 Lastly we stopped at the Black and White café near the racecourse for lunch. I’m so enjoying the opportunities WIA gives me to go somewhere new with company! Thanks to Sarah.

- Jill Ellis

New Plymouth West Walk

Sunday 16 October 17 ladies from WIA met at the Sharpe residence in Karamea Street. After introductions, following Glenys' lead we set off for an interesting 2 hour walk. We headed down Karamea Street and from there onto various streets, walkways etc all around the , and Spotswood area and back via the Jean Sandel Retirement Village to Karamea Street.

We had a few spits of rain at the start and a cool wind most of the way, but a walk enjoyed by all.

On return to Karamea Street we were given a lovely morning tea and a chance to sit and have a bit of a chat.

Thanks Glenys for a really lovely morning and also to Anne for the lovely coffee slice.

FYI ladies according to my step counter we did just over 10500 steps!

- Jo Christoffel

Power Hoops

What a lot of fun and laughter we had as Caro introduced us to this new form of exercise – Power Hoops. A lot of us remember the hula hoops of years ago that we played with as children but this was totally different and challenging.

Caro took 2 groups of 8 keen ladies for a 30 minute class each. The weights in the hoops made it harder to get it up and going. A lot of determination and frustration could be seen on all the faces as Caro made it look so easy as she walked around lifting arms and legs, kneeling all while Power hooping. It was hard enough trying to find our waists for the hoops to sit on - let alone try and do what she was doing.

The next day I was surprised to find bruises around where my waist should be and a few sore spots.

Afterwards we meet for coffee and muffins at West Bar. Well deserved.

Thanks Glenys for organizing this fun morning though I’m not sure the body was thanking you.

- Barb

Reviews September - November 2016 [email protected] Page 4 of 6 Taranaki Garden Spectacular

Only a small group of us this year for the garden tour but a day thoroughly enjoyed by all. Being such a small group gave us the advantage of being able to adapt the tour to personalise the day so that we didn't visit any gardens any of us had seen previously.

We visited a wide range of gardens including a guided tour around the vegetable gardens at Heritage Seeds. We were extremely lucky with the weather which made the day even more enjoyable.

After a relaxing lunch at a local pub we walked off the calories in seven acres of garden from the fringe festival in Oakura!

- Sharleen

Cross Hills Country Fair

We met at an early time of 6am and introduced each other (19 in total ). Off we went and stopped for coffee in Wanganui before finding our way to Kimbolton for a great day at the Cross Hills Garden Country Fair. On arriving it was a little drizzly, but that didn't faze anyone as that's part of the adventures.

Everyone had a great look around and many purchases were made as there were a lot of stalls of goodies for everyone.

Around 4 hours later after wandering around the great setting of gardens we all met up again and started the travels home stopping at the strawberry farm for afternoon tea and arriving home around 6pm.

Great day out and a big thanks to the drivers, Catherine for running the trip and the great company of all the ladies.

Highly recommended.

- Karen Fleming

Questionnaire Feedback

Thank you very much to the 40 or so ladies who took time to complete the WIA Membership Questionnaire. It helps the committee and Sport Taranaki understand what you like about Women in Action and where it could be improved.

It was heart-warming to read plenty of positive feedback about the programme.

Sport Taranaki records tell us we have a current membership of around 127 ladies, mostly in the over 50 age group, and still enjoying the opportunity to have a go at everything on offer. (However, there’s no age limit - tell anyone who’s even the teensiest bit jealous of your latest adventure to check out WIA.)

Many people couldn’t narrow it down to just one ‘most enjoyable’ event they had participated in, but the common themes include:  WIA is a friendly group, the variety of activities means there’s something for everyone - days out, tramps, weekend trips, water sports and week night activities.  Trips are well organised and you get to explore new places and do all sorts of things that you might never do otherwise with like-minded people!

We’ll endeavour to continue offering a wide range of activities, some easy, medium and more challenging for all members to participate in.

Reviews September - November 2016 [email protected] Page 5 of 6 Thank you for some good suggestions about activities and events for the future - good ideas make the organising much easier!

Here are a few comments straight off the page:

 I’ve enjoyed windsurfing, kayaking, croquet, go-karts, golf, Zumba, car rally, paddle boarding, sailing - activities that would be hard to try on your own.

 Tramps, kayaking, weekends away - WIA gets you out and about, challenging you and enjoying others’ company.

 I always look forward to what’s coming up.

 A varied programme, challenging at times, good company, gives you confidence - love it.

 Fantastic - a chance to get out and be active.

 A wonderful group which brings ladies together – really good for ladies on their own who are new to Plymouth.

 Summary of my WIA journey; Friendship, fun and laughter. I have been to so many different places I had never heard of, done things I would never have done and made so many amazing friendships.

 It gives the opportunity to try activities without having to commit to a whole term of something.

 Great to try new activities with a group of likeminded women.

 Good to see there are still several free or low cost events in every booklet.

 I’m so glad it’s available and encourage everyone to join. There’s something for everyone.

Many thanks to our Chat Sheet reviewers and photographers Feel special if you get asked to contribute.

Email to: [email protected]

Next newsletter – March 2017

Reviews September - November 2016 [email protected] Page 6 of 6