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.
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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. Today we took a circuitous adventure. It started as a backyard sit while I destoned apricots and my little one tasted them and went on mini adventures with his penguin and a car. Then little one asked for a walk. No reason not to. My big one was immediately displeased to be removed from the couch so every few steps we would implore me "let's stop and sit down or go home". "Just a little bit further" I coaxed. Bearing in mind, we were only five minutes and about 200 metres from home at this point! We ventured slowly down to the river pathway and eventually made it home 4 hours later with both children full of joy, enthusiasm and a little bit of remaining energy. Here in Palmy, our river, Te Awa o Manawatu, provides a varied adventure. Today we headed down to a river bank clearing between Ruahine and Rumahanga. While my big one stripped off and read her book, my little one threw stones into the gently moving water. A little further down the river we heard a splash. We looked over to see bubbles wandering over the surface of the water. Then a splish-splash again. We ventured down to have a look. We spotted four fish - fish colour with some white tinges! We waded into the water a little for a closer look. We watched for a bit (mostly me as my little couldn't see them and big one wandered back to her book). My little guy decided he wasn't quite sure about the water continually moving over his feet so he happily accepted a pick up. Soon he was ready for more rock plopping. We moved back upstream and left our fishy mates to it. Our little one threw more stones and encouraged us to join him. We looked flat stones and tried to skim. We will keep practicing before we can tick this one off the list...
Snacks snacked, drinks drunk and many stones sploshed, we headed back up to the pathway. We took a long route home along busy Napier Road and via Pita Pit for an unexpected lunch out and the supermarket for dinner supplies. The quietness of the river pathway is so pleasant and the busyness of the road so noticeable. Still, I was in pleasant company. We stopped by two playgrounds on the way home for a "wee" aka swing. We would have stayed much longer but our little guy needed more food and I was keen for some shade and more water! |
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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