Look at the Rakia River on my last post and look a today.
Its doubled in size very much faster and milky in appearance. It rained on the mountains yesterday and today.
After having a day of rest, yesterday I went out to explore and I’m pleased to say my fitness has returned. I went for a walk on a privately owned trail at Washpen Falls.
There is a small charge but it was well worth it. I had the place to myself and it starts with a bit of a climb. Nothing too difficult though.
Of the native plants Manuka or teetree is very common and very aromatic. I am not able to identify everything of course but my gardening background has helped me greatly. Nothofagus is what the locals call beech, with its tiny leaves, there are a number of varieties and they are all quite beautiful. I have seen various Pittosporum, Pseudpanax and Griselinias all in their native state and all on this walk.
Something I have noticed and I ended up asking someone about it after this walk. In the forests there is a strong smell of honey. There is also a black sooty mould growing on the bark and branches of some trees and its so thick it looks as though there was a fire. Well its the mould growing on dripping honey dew that scale insects exude, that smells so wonderful. We have aphis at home that do the same but nothing like the volume or the scent. In the UK apart from being unsightly and making annoying black marks on your car when you park under a tree it goes mostly un noticed. Here in the resulting mass you would never find your car again.
In the picture above the leaves are about thumb nail size and the black is the mould on globules of honey dew.
Anyway Washpen Creek and Falls were so named because the famers in the 1800s felt the English would prefer to buy their Merino wool if it had been washed first. I doubt the sheep enjoyed the walk. Before this the area was populated my the Maori and I can see why. Good views over flat lands, shelter in caves that are the result of lateral volcanic explosion and fresh water. Apparently there were also Moa ( a giant flightless bird) roaming here, now extinct by over hunting by the Maori.
The owner of this land has been involved in Rata conservation. This is a beautiful shrub with red flowers but it’s also delicious to the introduced Possom which is devastating it. I was present at the wrong time of year to see this plant in flower.
After the climb the descent gives you a lovely view of the falls.
I got to the bottom and had the pool to myself…. and about a million sandflies. I thought about a swim but exposing myself to the hungry hoards even being covered in insect repellent was too much.
I carried on along the creek and was serenaded by bellbirds along way. A sort of midmorning chorus. You can see it in the top quarter of the clip and you can hear a blackbird warning call along with the Bell Birds song.
The Travelling Bee 