28 April 2007

Piha Valley Track

page 4

The moss is luxuriant along the bank.

We are climbing quite steeply, and the bush falls away to the right.

The guys who are working on this job may have been given community servce, but at least one of them has wound up breaking rocks in the time honoured way. I am grateful for the assistance.

The steps continue. I can't quite work out why the bush is falling away to the right, when the dam should be downhill to the left.

In a small alcove is a bright green shrub I cannot at present identify. I get a picture for later reference.

Just ahead a smooth piece of rock takes the path to the brink of a considerable drop-off and then to a sharpish turn. I wonder whether such a frail looking fence can really cope with the genuinely stout who have made it this far. With the extensive black-topping taking place, there are likely to be more and more of these.

More steps

I never tire of the intricate traceries that rata makes on its way up a punga trunk

Still more steps, and spadework is now looking exceptionally fresh.

Across to the left we can now see the bush falling away, and it is obvious we have been climbing and crossing a fairly steep and narrow ridge.

We're now off the blacktop and heading gently downwards on the other side of the ridge

In fact, along here, it's delightful walking. I glance at the time and realise that I should be feeling hungry by now.

I speak too soon. Up ahead an awkwardly placed branch across the track means hands and knees or a Tarzan-like swing to get past. In the end, I make it. Alice wonders what the fuss is about.

The track is narrowing somewhat and descending a little more noticeably.

You will notice from the increasing number of track shots that I probably do need a boost in blood sugar levels. However, it's downhill, and at the time below the radar.

We're into quite luxuriant bush now.