A multimillionaire once said that he owed his success in life to his belief in carpe diem. This Latin phrase, which comes from the Roman poet Horace, means literally “Pluck the day.” The essential idea is “Enjoy yourself while you have the chance. Pursue the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. “
The 1989 movie Dead Poets Society introduced audiences to the phrase, but the sentiment has appeared in many literary works. One of the best-known examples is in the first stanza of Robert Herrick’s 1648 poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”:
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
Carpe diem is a good starting point with which to approach the day-walking opportunities that Footsteps has on offer this summer. Maybe as a senior you are still fit, but life has become a bit bland. If so, consider a new adventure, and you will find one amongst the spectrum of excursions scheduled for January – April, 2024:
- Great Barrier Island (18-26 November): Port Fitzroy, Claris, Tryphena, Whangaparapara, Aotea Conservation Park.
- Nifty Northland (28 Jan-3 Feb): Waipoua, Hokianga, Cape Reinga, Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, Whananaki, Whangarei Heads.
- Awesome Auckland (4-10 Feb): Tiritiri Matangi, Mangawhai, Tawaharanui, Kawau, Waitakere Ranges, Isthmus, Hauraki Gulf islands, Hunua Ranges.
- Wonderful Waikato (11-17 Feb): Kaimai Ranges, Te Waihou, Waitomo, Tawarau, Kawhia, Raglan, Pirongia, Hakarimata, Hamilton.
- Tasmania (Australia) (25 Feb – 16 March): Hobart, Port Arthur, Freycinet, St Helens, Launceston, Stanley, Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Maydena.
- Victoria (Australia) (17 March-6 April): Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Bendigo, Great Dividing Range, Gippsland, Wilson Promontory, Phillip Island.
- Tremendous Transalpine (14-20 April): Banks Peninsula, Castle Hill, Craigieburn, Arthur’s Pass, Lake Brunner, Rakaia Gorge, Hakatere, Peel Forest.
- Alps to Ocean (21-27 April): Tekapo, Mount Cook, Lake Ohau, MacKenzie Country, Omarama, Benmore, Waitaki Valley, Oamaru, Waimate.
Later in 2024, the schedule includes Scotland and Ireland, Autum in New England, and Patagonia.
For further information, go to www.footstepswalkingclub.com, or contact us: footstepsanz@gmail.com, 021 172 3244, 07 544 9509. We would be delighted to hear from you!
