Friday, April 27, 2012

Punakaiki bush walk

We decided to take a walk from the swing bridge on the Punakaiki River to the swing bridge on the Pororari River.  Our map showed this as a fairly direct track.  What it did not show, was that there was quite a steep hill between these two spots…..

 

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As we drove to the walking track, there was quite a large group of pukeko beside the road.

 

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Pat on the swing bridge over the Punakaiki River, at the beginning of the walk.

 

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Punakaiki River.

 

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Pony trekkers.

They stayed on the other side of the river, and didn’t come over the swing bridge, thank goodness.

 

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Our track was quite clearly marked…..

…..and very attractive:

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Pat resting at the top of a steep bit.

 

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This little gem was about 2cm high.

 

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These little fantail birds would follow us along the track, hopping right up to our feet.

 

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Finally, we arrived at the beautiful Pororari River – easier coming down the hill than up.

 

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Pat on the Pororari swingbridge.

We sat on this bridge and ate our sandwiches, which we really enjoyed after all that hill climbing.  While there, we met a young family from Christchurch.  They told us that they were very lucky in the earthquake, only losing the use of their toilet for a few days!  Their house still has to be “straightened up” a bit.

Then we returned by the same track, just as pretty as before.  We were overtaken by the young family – Pat was amazed at how the children could just scamper up the steep hilly parts.

 

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Up and down on 21st April 2012.

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