Te Henga - Lake Wainamu - Waitohi Falls

Date: 18 July 2014
Party: Anna, Elizabeth, Lesley
Map: http://planmyplay.co.nz/play/free-things-to-do-lake-wainamu-sand-surfing
Distance: ?
Elevation: ? Hardly any
Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Notes: This was a very leisurely stroll, with lots to look at. We met a lovely family in the carpark (Dad, Grand-dad and two boys) heading off to Anawhata, and saw them again as they came down one of the bigger sand dunes. Grand-dad looked a little worried! After a wee walk following the stream, we came to the lake and checked out the dodgy jetty, before coming across the (unexpected) waterfall. Fabulous Maori carving by the side of the waterfall, which seemed to be a succession of enticing pools. A bit chilly for the bikini and boogie board, but obviously popular during summer. We were not sure if the lake track continued around in a full circle, as the two maps we had seen differed, but decided to go there anyway. Awesome nikau palm glade, and a walk back across the dunes rather than by the side of the stream again. Another lunch at the incomparable Swanson Station Café, although it was busier than usual...but the sun was shining...and the coffee and company were good...

Is it an airplane? A balloon? Alien spacecraft?

Fairy Falls Track - Goodfellow Track - Bloody Stairs Track

Date: 27 June 2014
Party: Anna, Elizabeth, Lesley
Map:

Distance: ?
Elevation: ?
Time: 2.5 hours
Notes: Last time we did this track, we ended up at Fairy Falls, and came DOWN the stairs! This time we started at the Falls and managed to find ALL the stairs within a 5 km radius. Not as much water in the waterfalls as we had hoped after such a wet time in Auckland.True to form, we managed to avoid the heavy rain warning until we were literally taking our boots off back at the car...although we did have a couple of light showers that required Hermione to pull out an umbrella from The Bag of Unknown Volume. Lovely misty forest, lots of birds (including an obliging posing wood pigeon), and plenty of catching up after a number of weird weeks (you know who you are, weird weeks). The strange looking anemone-like pink plant on the side of the track needs a name.

Apple Roll anyone?

Watdoyameannotavailable?

Looking for a littoral fringe

I would never leave home without my...

Swanson or Lincoln Road? No, you choose, I insist...

Cat

Poem

Waitakere Rain

Ernest Hemingway found rain to be
made of knowledge, experience
wine oil salt vinegar quince
bed early mornings nights days the sea
men women dogs hill and rich valley
the appearance and disappearance of sense
or trains on curved and straight tracks, hence
love honour and dishonour, a scent of infinity.
In my city the rain you get
is made of massive kauri trees, the call of forest birds
howling dark oceans and mangroved creeks.
I taste constancy, memory and yet
there’s the watery departure of words
from the thunder-black sand at Te Henga Beach.


Paula Green

Karangahake Mountain Track - Dobbo 96 Track - Crown Track - Karangahake Windows Walk

Date: 9 May 2014
Party: Anna, Elizabeth, Lesley
Map: http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/waikato/karangahake-gorge-brochure.pdf
Distance: 16 km
Elevation: 500ish?
Time: 4 hours 50
Notes: Spectacular mushrooms and lichen, particularly Fly Agaric on the first part of the track. Very steep climb, with some peeks of the view between the gorse bushes! Perfect weather, until it wasn't...we could hear the thunder and had time to get our raincoats on just as it started to hail in large chunks, then to pour down. We had a very soggy descent, amazed by how quickly the water collected and started coming down the track (and into our boots). Awesome 180m tunnel, complete with glow-worms and limestone sediment - opening out into an area with a large pool and waterfall (this can also be accessed from Dickey Flat Track). On the Windows Walk part of the track we passed through the remnants of the Talisman and Crown mining operations. Strange to see pieces of machinery still in the hills, and pieces of metal in the river. The schematic of the mines was fascinating, especially as so much of it remains visible. We took the route to the carpark via the tunnels, which were quite creepy, but at least had windows out to the river view below. Coffee and cake at the Talisman Cafe, which has a homely atmosphere and nice coffee. (Despite what you might read in Trip Advisor!)

Shakespear Park - Te Haruhi Bay - Tiri Tiri Track - Heritage Trail - Lookout Track

Date: 27 April, 2014
Party: Anna, Lesley, Tony
Map: http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/shakespear
Distance: 9.5 km
Elevation:
Time: Approx 2 hours
Notes: A beautiful day for it! Loved the pest-free entrance gate/fencing, which has really had a dramatic impact on the number of birds in this park. Parked at Te Haruhi Bay car park, then did our usual trick of missing the start of the Tiri Tiri track, and having to backtrack a little to get the views on that side of the peninsula. (Must remember rule number 1 about being especially vigilant at the start of each track!!) Fabulous views of the islands in the Gulf, especially Tiri Tiri. From the lookout, we headed down to the Heritage Trail - a surprisingly shady and lush section of track with a small stream - back to the main carpark, and around back up the Heritage Trail to a junction with Lookout Track, and from there back to the car. Refreshments afterwards at the Local Cafe in Manly (http://www.localcafe.co.nz/) - delicious.

Mt Auckland

Date: 11 April 2014
Party: Anna, Elizabeth, Lesley
Map: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/auckland/north-auckland/mount-auckland-atuanui-walkway/
Distance: 7 km
Elevation: 300m
Time: 3 hours, just cruising
Notes: A nice walk, without being fantastic. Nikau and Taraire specimens; cows; mushrooms; and a neatly plaited flax-leaf close to the summit lookout. Best Toetoe (Austroderia) glade we have seen for a very long time.