The school holidays will soon be here and some parents will be keen to find new activities for their children to enjoy.  Upper Hutt’s mixture of urban and rural lifestyle lends itself to a wide range of things to do.  What’s more, those living outside the city can travel here easily by public transport.  I am sure we all think of the Airport Flyer as an easy and economical way of getting to the Airport.  Why not turn the tables around and catch the Airport Flyer to Upper Hutt?  It drops you very near to the CBD, Upper Hutt Library, H2OXtream, and Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre.

I swim nearly every weekday morning before work at H2OXtream.  It is a refreshing way to start the day.  Pay a visit during the school holidays with your youngsters.   They can enjoy the wave machine, slides, and ever changing inflatables to play on.  Meanwhile the adults can enjoy the spa pool, steam room, or sauna – all for an inclusive price.  Call 04 527-2113 for more info.

Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre is hosting a Capital E National Theatre For Children production- Tale of a Dog – all about the circus-like antics of “Dog”.  There are two shows on Tuesday 7 July at 11 am and 1pm.  Tickets can be ordered from Expressions (tel 04 527-2168) – only $10.50, discount for groups of 10 or more.  Deborah Pope of Circus Oz fame is involved with this production.

To take advantage of the rural parts of Upper Hutt for the school holidays your children can be booked in to a YMCA Camp Kaitoke holiday programme.  Not far from Kaitoke Country Gardens, just 3kms along Marchant Road, the camp is located in an idyllic setting with rolling hills and a small lake.  Tel 04 526-7338 for bookings, and check out their website.

For a creative challenge for youngsters 10 years and over there are two spinning and weaving sessions on Tuesday 7th and Tuesday 14th July from 10am to 2pm.  They are being held at Onslow Rifle Club Rooms on Alexander Road, near Trentham Rifle Range.  Bookings can be made with Mia Ramakers on 04 526-4028.  Each session is $10.

You will need your car to visit Staglands Wildlife Reserve in Akatarawa Valley.  Staglands is open 10am to 5pm daily.  They also have a well appointed licensed cafe to enjoy.

The train journey from Wellington Railway Station drops you right in the CBD and only a short walk from the 4-screen Ascot Cinema – make a day of the trip and include a cinema visit.

Upper Hutt has a very vibrant entertainment scene.  You just need to know where to find the information.  You will have to be quick to book tickets for the annual sports dinner at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club on Thursday 16 July.  Former Wallaby Captain John Eales is the keynote speaker.  Tickets for the evening, including dinner, are only $55.  Tel 04 529-0009.

If you have your creative juices ready why not enter the Annual Upper Hutt Poetry Competition.  Entries close on Friday 10 July.  Entry forms are on the Upper Hutt City website.  The theme this year is The Elements – Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water.  Winners will be announced on Montana Poetry Day, Friday 24 July.

Don’t forget to ferret through the NZ Film Festival book – my pick – In the Loop – a British political satire. Maybe see you there.

Paul Lambert