Yesterday, the kids and I went on a fun hike with my friend, Sinead and her 2 kids, Emily and Hugh as well as her friend, Sarah with Oscar and Ned. It was a great hike and the kids did exceptionally well. It was very steep in many places but they hung in there! I carried Caroline in the backpack so I know I'll be feeling the burn soon. :)

The trail took about 1 1/2 hour to the creek and another 1 hour or so back. We stopped for about an hour for a picnic lunch at Butterfly Creek with lots of room for the children to run, play and have a game of hide 'n seek in the trees. Needless to say, the kiddos were pooped pumpkins afterwards and hit the sack at about 6pm!

It was absolutely beautiful and I still can't get over the fact that it's basically in our backyard. Such beauty and serenity!

Butterfly Creek

Butterfly Creek lies in a peaceful valley just over the hills behind Eastbourne. Four tracks lead to the picnic area, of which the Kowhai Track is the easiest and most direct.

History

By the time that Europeans arrived to settle Wellington in 1839, Maori regularly occupied the southern shores of Fitzroy Bay. Te Atiawa from Pitoni visited Parangarehu (just north of Baring Head) seasonally to fish and collect berries. It was also an important cultivation site. To reach the Pencarrow coastal settlements, Maori developed a network of routes along the eastern bay ridges. The current track of Butterfly Creek was one of these routes.

A 1939 addition of land to the Eastbourne Domain involved a swap of land between the Eastbourne Borough Council and local resident George Burdan in order to secure the popular Butterfly Creek picnic spot.

The name of Butterfly Creek is said to have emerged by around the 1930s. Although the origin of the name is not certain, one theory is that it came from a strange patch of lighter coloured vegetation in Gollans Valley which could be seen from the top of the Matipo Street track that was exactly in the shape of a butterfly. Although this shape was discernible through to 1951, it gradually lessened due either to bush fires or bush clearance.

Overlooking Wellington Harbour and Eastbourne.

A really cool stick bug (as I call them :)

MaeMae did a great job, not complaining one bit! It was a long trek for this little gal.

Calvin ran ahead with the boys almost the whole time. He was sooo tired on the way back but did a great job as well.

Conveniently located on the trail were wonderful resting benches. Thank goodness for the benches!

Looking up along the trail...these trees act as a canopy over the bush. Beautiful!

Caroline did a little walking when the trail leveled out before we arrived at the creek.

Butterfly Creek!

Beside the creek is a great picnic area with several tables and lots of trees to play hide 'n seek in.

Our group after our picnic lunch. 3 mamas and 7 kids!

Pure joy!

Contemplating whether to run this way or that.

Sweet Sinead and cutie Emily. Sinead is from Ireland and her mum is a McIntyre. :)

Heading back to home base.

I cherish the moments the kids want to hold my hand...I know it won't last forever. This picture was just before MaeMae whispered to me, "mama, I love you to the moon and back". Melt my heart...so sweet...forever grateful!