Don woke to the seagulls pattering on our cabin roof - the
rest of us were quite oblivious to the early morning wake up call. We had decided today would be relaxing but
Don’s counter says we have walked 18,791 steps between heading off to Takaka
and returning late afternoon (to another windy and chilly afternoon). Still, relaxing has quite a personal
perspective to it – may be it is a concept of mind rather than physical.
Today, had a back drop of native bush – 3 walks of varying
lengths with very different appeal (and by the way all from leaflet from the
information centre).
The Grove Scenic Reserve was our first stop, a forest of rata perched on huge blocks of limestone. Rata roots hung from cliffs, winding their way down to the floor. We wandered through a narrow corridor to the view overlooking the coastline.
Second stop (after food and coffee at the Dangerous Kitchen), was the Te Waikoropupu Springs – the largest fresh water springs in New Zealand pumping out 11 cubic metres every second. Beautiful deep clear cold waters – let’s hope no one gets the rights to bottle one of nature’s gifts.
Third stop after another food stop in a car park was a walk to Pupu Hydro. This walk retraces an old gold mining water race which was restored in the mid 1900’s for power generation. We clambered up through the beech and rimu forest where the steps were formed by roots and limestone rocks. The path flattened out a bit, as we began our walk along the old sluice for about 1 kilometre. As we got higher the running water got faster. The path was mainly wooden and in A1 condition but sometimes only the width of our two feet – one side very cold water, the other a 100 metre cliff leading down the river. Hold on tight to the rail!! It was a spectacular journey and one we would recommend to anyone coming this way. We reached the top where the river was partially diverted into the sluice and joined the four wheel drive track to take us back to the power house. Another coffee at Takaka and dinner shopping saw us arrive back to our cabin. The afternoon clouds and wind had arrived and we are once again sitting on the deck all rugged up. I’ll have to move the laptop off the barbeque so we can cook dinner shortly. Don has decided to leave his swim for another day – the rest of us weren’t tempted.
The Grove Scenic Reserve was our first stop, a forest of rata perched on huge blocks of limestone. Rata roots hung from cliffs, winding their way down to the floor. We wandered through a narrow corridor to the view overlooking the coastline.
Second stop (after food and coffee at the Dangerous Kitchen), was the Te Waikoropupu Springs – the largest fresh water springs in New Zealand pumping out 11 cubic metres every second. Beautiful deep clear cold waters – let’s hope no one gets the rights to bottle one of nature’s gifts.
Third stop after another food stop in a car park was a walk to Pupu Hydro. This walk retraces an old gold mining water race which was restored in the mid 1900’s for power generation. We clambered up through the beech and rimu forest where the steps were formed by roots and limestone rocks. The path flattened out a bit, as we began our walk along the old sluice for about 1 kilometre. As we got higher the running water got faster. The path was mainly wooden and in A1 condition but sometimes only the width of our two feet – one side very cold water, the other a 100 metre cliff leading down the river. Hold on tight to the rail!! It was a spectacular journey and one we would recommend to anyone coming this way. We reached the top where the river was partially diverted into the sluice and joined the four wheel drive track to take us back to the power house. Another coffee at Takaka and dinner shopping saw us arrive back to our cabin. The afternoon clouds and wind had arrived and we are once again sitting on the deck all rugged up. I’ll have to move the laptop off the barbeque so we can cook dinner shortly. Don has decided to leave his swim for another day – the rest of us weren’t tempted.
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