Ahimate Reserve is a spot that keeps on giving. There are so many little adventures to have here. Today we went for a walk and ended up spending most of our time hanging out in the shady, cool spots of Bill’s Bush.
Bill’s Bush is a remnant of original totara and a single northern rata, which has been replanted over the years by local residents. Bill Regnault is the Bill in the name. It is near to the Buick Crescent entrance to the reserve area but you you'll find it if you head in that general direction from anywhere in the reserve. Once inside, you'll probably come across plenty of Palmy Rocks - we did and toddler was quite intrigued. Once they became projectiles, I picked them up and hid them for the next person. We wandered along spotting rocks until we came across some little houses that must be for wee fairy folk. We stopped here for snacks and sit. Thank you to the kind friends who helped the fairies prepare their homes.
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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
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