Nor'West News: November 01, 2016

NOR’WEST NEWS Tuesday November 1 2016 13
News
Mall-walking to stay fit
• By Hanna Reynolds
NORTHLANDS ISN’T open,
but Karen Couch is heading
inside.
She’s not alone. Dressed in
walking gear, around 100 people
are entering the mall, but they’re
not planning to shop.
Every Tuesday and Thursday
at 8am, the mall opens its doors
early to the Kiwifit walking
group.
The free community walking
programme is a chance for
people who may not be working
to socialise while staying active.
Karen remembered the exact
day it started, April 17, 2005,
and bakes a cake every year to
celebrate.
“I enjoy the friends. I miss it
when I’m away.”
It’s a good place to exercise
“without tripping over trees
or walking on dog poo and
uneven surfaces,” she said, and
the coffee afterwards was an
incentive.
Joce White, 71, has attended
both weekly sessions since the
earthquakes.
“It’s pleasant, flat and warm
and we stop for a coffee afterwards.
It’s very social. You get to
know a lot of people.”
She used to walk around the
mall three to four times before
her back surgery but is now
pleased to make it around the
SOCIAL STROLL: Walking inside Northlands is a social
occasion for Alice Wilson, Julie McLachlan and Joce White
(front).
PHOTO: HANNA REYNOLDS
500m circuit with her walker
once.
When she stops for a rest on
the seats, fellow walkers greet her
by name. It’s a social event.
“This is the whole point, the
laughter.”
Heather Johnston, 74, is in her
10th year of setting her alarm
early to attend.
Heather had a fall when walking
outside and the threat of it
happening again on the uneven
pavements keeps her coming
back to the warm, flat space.
Surgery is a familiar thread
among the walkers, with hip and
knee replacements common.
Having had her hip done four
months ago, it was “use it or lose
it,” for Barbara Wilson.
For four years she has travelled
30min to attend the Thursday
session and enjoys not having to
watch for cars in the safety and
warmth of the mall.
Northlands marketing manager,
Rebecca Sheppard said
there were about 180 members of
the walking group with an average
age of 73.
The group meets at the entrance
near House of Travel on
Main North Rd.
Merivale garden
home to giant worm
Best to hope that this worm found in the backyard of
Star Media director Charlotte Smulders is the parent. If not,
there may be a wriggly worm around Merivale even larger
than this. The paving stone is half a metre wide – that is one
king size worm.
THE HOME OF GOOD BAKING
SOUTHERN
PLAINS
BREAD
VARIETIES
(Excludes Spicy Fruit)
ONLY
$
1 99
EA
HOT DEAL!
SALTED
CARAMEL
TRUFFLES
12pk
ONLY
CHEESE ROLLS
12pk
Soft and fluffy,
generously
topped with
cheese, perfect
for BBQs and
kid’s lunches.
RASPBERRY
SLICE
$
ONLY
2 99 A divine
ONLY
raspberry slice
$
3 49
for all occasions.
EA
EA
MILK
Dairy Dale 2L varieties.
$
5 98
2 FOR or $3.19 each
ANZAC FAMILY PACK
BISCUITS
$
4 99
EA
Promotional pricing available while stocks last from 31/10/16 to 06/11/16.
Images are serving suggestions only.
Open 7 days | 8 Convenient local locations
Hornby • Barrington • Ferry Rd • Papanui • Riccarton • Upper Riccarton • New Brighton • Rangiora
www.couplands.co.nz