Grey Lynn Park Tai Chi

I knew that I was facing another 9 hour day at the office, and so it proved. So the decision to take an early morning run of moderate length was the right one. A gentle enough run through the streets to the Richmond Road entry to Coxs Bay Park, where I did a quick loop along the board walk and around through Bayfield Reserve back to beside Coxs Creek and back out on the route which takes me into Grey Lynn Park on the way home.

Shortly after entering Grey Lynn Park there are a number of different hard courts for playing various games. Not infrequently on this particular court at this time of the morning one or two people are doing Tai Chi. For the last few months the light has been too dim to even try to get a picture. This morning was light enough, and this man was on his own.

If he noticed me, he chose to ignore me and continue with his routine. I was able to get this picture from some distance away, and by cropping out the excess surroundings, it has made him a little softer and fuzzier.

A rather different exercise programme than I have. Nevertheless, he is one of a not inconsiderable number of people exercising at the time I run, especially the last few weeks. Dog walkers predominate in the parks. Cyclists are best seen relaxing outside a cafe with a coffee in front of them; often about a half hour later. Runners and walkers are earnest when on their own and conversational when in pairs or more.

It is my habit to greet every runner with a "good morning" or "hi" as I pass. In this area the response rate is about 50 - 60%. Only rarely do others initiate the greeting ritual. I like to think that this man would have acknowledged me had I been close enough to greet him.