Ferndown Track

page 4

A young lancewood spreads its long saw leaves, and a young tanekaha is springing away beside the track. I notice both of these quite frequently when the immediate environment gets a little drier and harsher.

We continue downhill. This really is a beautiful track and any initial; reservations I had are now well and truly gone

We emerge into a lighter overhead coverage and every time we do this I keep thinking we must be just about at the end of the track. I realise I am just about ready for this to happen, so I apply the universal remedy - a drink of water - and continue to enjoy.

I am getting tired though. The last few photos have just been track records and I haven't been seeing so much detail.

I catch a sudden glimpse of a bunch of small rewarewa seedlings at the edge of the path

We continue to descend through lush ferns.

, and each time I think we're nearly there because the bush is getting more open it becomes lush once more and the track keeps heading downwards.

But eventually I am right.

and just along from here we encounter PRIVATE PROPERTY.

The Moyes have a wonderful driveway which they share with several of their neighbours, but not with the public. Possibly they've had unfortunate experiences with irresponsible trampers.

I notice, however, that right next to the end of the track is a large and immaculately gardened property containing the following:

With this lot at one end and Pope-Godley Reserve at the other, there is no shortage of the theatrical. One can certainly find something to respond to along this track.

But I digress. We nod reluctant understanding at Mr Moyes' sign and continue down the last 100 metres of track, a narrow, steep and slippery route along the fenceline. ARC is in the process of boardwalking all of this, but someone has used stockpiled loose boards to supplement the unfinished job.

We continue on down.

It's taken me a minute or so over 2 hours from start to finish, what with dawdling over photography and absorbing detail along the track. I head back with a little more purpose and make it in just over the hour, Fatman time. Lunch and off to the Rangemore Track for the afternoon.