Let’s just go for a little walk, we said. Let’s go up the hill a little bit, we said… If you know me it doesn’t take much to convince me to keep going a little further, which is just what we did today on the Fern Walk. The Fern Walk is about twenty five minutes from town up into the Pohongina Valley. Easy drive but you have to be careful not to miss the carpark on the right hand side of the road. It’s just past the Totara Reserve signage. The track is lovely and wide, lovely and flat. It’s pram appropriate till the first bridge, which is narrow to cross and has a couple of stairs at either end. Then, up until the start of the loop, it’s an easy amble with lots of spots to explore including weta hotels and various points of entry to the stream. The whole track is great for a baby carrier and for little adventurous legs. When the track turns into a loop we thought “we’ll go a little way up and then turn back…” but then it gets a little more difficult. If you don’t want to do the full 2.5 hour loop, stop here of just wander up the right hand loop at little way. Once we had started up the left hand loop, we realised it was easier and safer (not that it was dangerous per sae, just a little steep and stoney in spots) to carry on up and around - as per the sign’s suggestion. Toddler managed most of the uphill without falling off the edge... Well, of course he didn’t fall off the edge at all but half way up he began to get a bit too daring and oblivious to the edge so up into the backpack he hopped. He did really well at navigating the various sets of stairs and zig-zags. Near the top, there is a fallen tree that requires a few metres of crawling - or limbo if you’re game and bendy. Mr 2 and his mama managed to do it without taking the backpack off. He has just learned that treating his mum like a horsey is pretty fun so a horsey ride through the bushes was a great adventure (except for the bit where his head got a bonk on the way back to standing, whoops mama). Miss 11 was aggrieved at having to go all the way up. Her disgust was slightly moderated by Whittaker's 100 and 1000s chocolate (wow, amazingly amazing, imo!) but the harrumphing did continue until we reached the top. Then she bounded off and we didn’t see her until we got back to the start of the loop. At which time she let us know she’d been waiting basically for ever... love my tweenager. Once at the top, the track wanders along the ridge offering lovely glimpses of the valley’s beautiful podocarp forest - full of all the beauties: ponga, mamaku, kahikatea... the list is long - and a little side trip to a huge beautiful specimen of Northern Rata. This part of the amble was long but very easy. You could spend a lot of time up here but today we needed to be back in town for the afternoon.
The way down was similar to the Tawa Loop - pretty easy for little legs to navigate, wide formed track, a few sets of stairs and a little gravelly in spots but nothing terrible. In all the Fern Walk is a long one and next time I’d like to make sure we have all day free to take it easy and explore more slowly. Everyone had tired legs at the end and enjoyed a restful afternoon (and this Mama let the tech time happen guilt free!). I love being in the bush, it's real, free and a beautiful way to spend time.
0 Comments
Today we went on an organised adventure! We went orienteering. While it wasn’t free, it was well priced for a family adventure - $5 per adult, $3 per child and a maximum of $10 for a family. Today’s orienteering course headed out from Peren Park, up Summerhill. There were four options ranging from 1km to 5km. As it was just me and my little pal today, we did a middle sized 2.2km course. I took the carrier for when little legs got tired or keeping on track was needed. It was long enough for me to get into it too (I would have enjoyed this or a longer version doing it for time too). We received a paper map and a trendy finger ring to track our progress at each ‘gate’ and the course leaders made sure we were heading off the right way and hinted at where we would end up coming back into the finish. They were really friendly and super helpful. There were plenty of families and complete beginners, and everyone was treated kindly and with the same enthusiasm. We headed off (at toddler pace) into the tracks of Summerhill. It took us an hour of wandering between the eleven marks and back to ‘home’ at Peren Park. The route was very lovely and, as always, is right on our back door step. Upon return we spent some time exploring the rest of Peren Park - swings, obstacle course, basketball half court (with adjustable hoop) and a hut with a trapdoor!
A very pleasant way to spend a little time on a Sunday. Red Kiwi Orienteering ran this event and have others planned during the year. Membership quickly becomes the best option after you go to a couple of events and realise it is a good way to get outdoors with more purpose than just a wander along the river (not that there is anything wrong with this - we do it often). There is a permanent course at the Esplanade if you want to try it out. The map is available HERE We needed somewhere for a lunch stop on the way up country. We had packed food and drinks but wanted something more than a road side tree. Mangaweka Scenic Reserve popped into the map. We took a left turn just before the township and two corners up the hill, we parked in a small gravel pit on the right hand side of the road. The entrance is in the left hand side of the road, just to the left of the signage. We wandered in and, as has become the norm, our two mountain goats, bounced off up the track. I wandered along at toddler pace as he lurched from one side of the track to the other, over rocks, trampling through grass and weeds. The track is a little overgrown with a few little slips here and there but not dangerous. After traipsing up some steps, we found the picnic spot. Simply a chair at the top of a hill with lovely views. We enjoyed hot drinks with our Jetboil (just because we can!) and a full array of picnicking foods! The spot is really sunny and warm. The loop track carries on up the hill a little and back down a raft of steps. It takes about an hour from start to finish. Today, though, we headed back the way we came. Fortunately we did as we got to see a really long train heading through with about 40 carriages! Toddler was pretty impressed (so were his parents - we’re train supporters!). Would recommend Mangaweka Scenic Reserve for a nice lunch stop on a journey from Palmy or even for a nature day out. It’s a good, basic, get into nature spot - no frills, no charge. There is birdlife, bug life and many of my favourite tree - the tall, useful beauty, kahikatea.
A little further down the road, at Hunterville, is Bruce Park, which has a Kiwi Guardians medal too. How lucky are we to have these beautiful spots right on the side of the road? Maybe combine the two for an epic nature adventure? We finally made it down to the Urban Eels.
We have been watching the project since last year and waiting for the eels to arrive for a few months. More on the project here and here. We saw a post recently mentioning the some eels had arrived and BBQ meats would be suitable to entice them out into the open. So yesterday, in the warm afternoon sun, we headed down the track to see if we could find them. We took some visiting friends down and had all fingers and toes crossed that they wouldn't leave disappointed. The track down to the eel platform is half shaded, half full sun. Sunhats and drink bottles recommended at this time of year! We were not disappointed! The meats were definitely required. Without them, I don't think we would have seen any. Our little one dropped a big hunk of meat in (rather than small bite sized bits) and it was quickly preyed upon and dragged back into the eel lair. The rest received small chunks. Once all meat was distributed and eaten, the eels all high tailed it back into their hiding spot. It was a lovely afternoon adventure. Remember There is a permanent rahui in place. Let the tuna live peacefully. Enjoy learning about these amazing creatures! How to get there Cross He Ara Kotahi Turn right. Follow the limestone track along the river (don't head left at the fork). follow the signs for Linton. The platform is about 1km down the track and there is some tuna fin sculptures and colourful bike rack to guide you. If you cross the bridge (you've gone too far)... look down and you'll see the platform in the stream on the left. Today we found a family of worms. Big mamas and teeny tiny baby worms.
We peered under a piece of old manky carpet that we found. We disturbed a family of worms. They all scattered. We moved them each carefully into a punnet of soil (Hold a bug in your hand!) being certain to collect up all the little tiny guys too. We put them into the garden (along with the carpet in case we missed anyone) and they burrowed down into the warm soil. I hope they like their new, expansive home! Somewhere worth a visit and a slow wander is Te Marae o Hine - right in the centre of the city.
Te Marae o Hine was central, both in location and in spirit, to the development of our city. It remains central to our city as a place we gather and celebrate. Until the 60s this was where the trains came in and the area was lined with hotels and shopping. It was truly the heart of our city. Now it is still surrounded by good shopping and food options and the old department store now houses our wonderful city library. We spend time here each year remembering the sacrifice of war, welcoming the new year, attending fairs, concerts and celebrations of our city's wealth of beautiful cultures. Even without an event or memorial service, it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. My children have spent many hours wandering through the quadrants of the square, always finding ways to entertain themselves. All I have to do is follow and provide them time and snacks. Today we grabbed a sushi lunch and sat under the clock tower to eat. Of course, it didn't take long for toddler to wander off towards the duck pond. He was content to watch the ducks today and not hop in the water. No doubt the request for a swim will come someday. Should I say yes??!! In true toddler fashion, we then zig zagged over the grass mounds, back past the clock tower, through the trees, where we collected sticks, and took an exploratory mission through the Ladies Rest. I love the Ladies Rest; it smells so good and is such a calming spot to take a rest. To me, it is the window into history and I always feel nostalgic (for the good bits only). Aside from the usual facilities, there is a great space for mums, which has changing and feeding facilities including highchairs, and a wee kids loo. There is also another parents room around the corner so dads doing child duties have facilities too. Back outside, my big girl found a shady spot to read and toddler wandered up and down the steps of the King Edward II fountain, climbed across the benches, followed the pathways, and fluffed the hedges and hydrangeas. While he wandered we did a little wild art project - some temporary tagging using our stick collection. Next we found the horse hitchings and the mini hills. Toddler wasn't keen to roll down but more than confident to carefully step down a really big hill... After some more zigzagging, wandering, running, and joyously shouting, and we ended up back at our car, ready to go home. Going slow and letting our wee one decide what's next makes for a relaxed and interesting adventure. It's also nice to let him have a say in when the adventure is over - he knows his limits and knows when his adventure mode is satisfied. Te Marae o Hine is full of history and has a surprising number of spaces to play. I can't recommend it enough if you're looking for a slow, non-specific adventure that can happen in the middle of the city bustle. Today we again planned to head down to the urban eels. But decided because of the wind and rain, it would be more fun, and less cold, to go bush. We headed to the Te Apiti Manawatu gorge. It was pretty rainy on the way there with a big downpour. We suited up - proper raincoats and a one piece rainsuit for Mr 1 - and everyone got a handful of jet planes to eat at their leisure. It truly helps minimise the complaints about the hill, the path, the air... and the inevitable "how much further?!"... To start, the rain was light but constant. Mr 1 enjoyed running between puddles. Everyone enjoyed walking under the road. The stream was running strong. A while back we visited and found a family exploring the streams and checking out some really big koura. The big girls scampered up the track to the fork. Honestly I never know what zone these two will be in - usually there is one or both who want to go home from the get go. But today, pleasantly, both eagerly participated. In fact, I and the little one hardly saw them. At the fork, we made the democratic decision to go left. Personally this is my favourite way up - quick but steep. Today it was unanimous, which is rare. We were swooped by a kererū who then watched us wandering from a branch a few metres above. We watched a tui crack open a seed pod not two metres in front of us. We also noticed piwakawka and tauhou dart through the trees and tui fluff themselves after a flight. Manu out in great numbers today. Mr 1 wandered up all the way to the rapids lookout. I offered the backpack at various points but he said "No way!". We explored the big tree around the corner and decided it would make an excellent sleeping spot. It was very dry inside despite the morning of rain. At the top we ate lunch. We brought the Jetboil for hot drinks which always feels like a little luxury when it's a rainy walk. Remember: there is a Kiwi Guardians medal password and a Passport to Play Palmy etching to collect up here. The rain started to become a bit heavier and we were in the clouds so we packed up and headed off down the loop.
Mr 1 wanted to run, which is always a little terrifying for me. But he had it all under control, navigating tree roots and slippy patches with ease. Maybe it's a skill ingrained in children from years past and we just need to step back and trust that they know their bodies and have (usually) got it under control? It was a little boggy and slippy in places but nothing too bad. My least favourite spot is the set of steep stairs. Fortunately by this time the babe was on my back so didn't have to help him navigate them. He napped while me and the eldest chatted about positive thinking and self belief. Deep but important. Before long we were back at the fork where Miss Tween informed us she had been waiting for-basically-ever before charging off again. Back at the carpark, which, by the way has moved slightly to the right and up the hill, the rain had eased so we could remove our jackets and jerseys before hopping into the car for the ride back to town. Today was a good adventure. It goes to show that the weather shouldn't be a factor in whether to venture out. |
AuthorI'm Kate. I have 3 children - 2 bios and a steppie, 1 under 5 and 2 tweenagers. I am determined to spend more time outside this year and share more of Palmy's wonderful places and free play activities. Categories
All
Archives |