New Zealand – Blue Duck Falls

Today I did my landlady’s washing up in penance for leaving a pair of nickers on her porch! She never said a word, what I can say, it was an accident! Oops! They fell out of my bag honest!
Anyway I still felt slightly off colour (nothing to do with my underwear). I’ve been drinking gallons of water as I still think it’s dehydration.
My landlady Kay suggested a place to go on the edge of the Whamganui National Park, Blue Duck Station. Its a place with lots if outdoor activities surrounding a conservation ethos.

It was quite a long winding drive to get there and of course the trails were enticing me, but I was sensible and did a short easy 2 hour walk to Blue Duck Falls and back. Its along a road (although probably only suitable for a 4×4). People live along here but its very out of the way.

The sound of running water and the amount I was drinking was making me want a wee every half an hour. It was a bit difficult to find a suitable place to go, with a shear drop one side and a cliff face the other.

The falls themselves were wonderful and quite a surprise, I photographed the top here but to see the bottom please see the video.

Anyway on my walk I saw a green parrot type Kaka, Australasian magpie, European yellow hammer, silver eye, sacred kingfisher, the ever present fantails, a few swamp Harrier and a dozen LBB’s.

Back to my accomodation, dinner and relaxing with a cat on my lap. The temperature is dropping and the heated blanket is on, Mmm!

I’ll try and start tomorrow with all my clothes!