JUDEA MAN'S DAILY WALK NOW HAS A SHRINE, HE'S NOT KEEN
It was a Tuesday morning in Judea. The suspect laced up his shoes. He did not know about the candles.
It was a Tuesday morning in Judea. The suspect, one Gerald Whitmore, 71, laced up his walking shoes at 7:14am. He has done this every day for eleven years. What he did not know was that his walking loop now had a shrine on it.
Mr Whitmore relocated from Takapuna in 2013. He walks the same 4.2km route daily. Down Cameron Road, left at the roundabout, along the estuary, back past the reserve. He departs at 7:14am. He returns at 8:03am. Neighbours describe the punctuality as "a bit much, honestly".
The shrine appeared last week on the verge outside 47 Fraser Street. It contains a laminated photo of Mr Whitmore mid-stride, two tea candles, and a small pile of pinecones. A hand-written card reads "He walks so we don't have to." Local Marion Petersen, 68, said she didn't know who started it. She had added a second candle "to keep the vibe going".
A Tauranga City Council spokesperson said the shrine was "not a permitted structure". Removing it, however, would be "politically fraught". My mate at the station confirms no offence has been committed. He did note that an unauthorised place of worship on council land is technically an RMA matter.
Mr Whitmore, approached on Wednesday's return leg, said he had noticed the candles. He found them "a bit weird". He did not break stride. He arrived home at 8:03am.
A third candle has since appeared. Mr Whitmore is understood to be considering a new route.
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Reader Letters
Trev_Hornby
Why the bloody shrine?
Marama_C
Mate, this whole thing is clearly just a piss-take! Like who even cares if there's a shrine? Let Gerald walk in peace without this nonsense.
Garry (Halswell)
Gerald should feel honoured honestly. Having a shrine is a sign of respect, however odd it may seem at first. In my day, no one ever bothered to follow me on my daily milk run! People have too much time now but it's kind of sweet that they're acknowledging his routine.
pedantic_pete
This is how it begins. First, they start with candles, next they'll build giant O-Week floats on the footpaths. Council needs to nip it in the bud now! Before the munted parade begins.
calm_kerry
Pete, calm down. It's just some pinecones and candles. Not the end of the world, aye.
Sandra_Travels
Maybe they could make it bigger and add fairy lights. Might even get tourists visiting just to see it!
local_expert_jade
This kind of shrine is common in Japan for marathon runners. We could adopt that culture here too!
couchgremlin
Lol.
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