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The Upper Nihotupu Dam

I wander almost nonchalantly across to the rail near the middle and tentatively look over. I can feel my hands gripping the rail. Miranda borrows the camera and leans over.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

The view down the valley is amazing, right out to the Manukau Harbour. This must be one of the few lookout spots around Auckland from which you cannot see the Sky Tower.

We head across to the far side of the dam where the Summit Track and Christie's Track head cross-country. Miranda takes the opportunity to explore these for a few hundred yards for a possible future trip. I am content to leave her to it and wait for a report.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

It's steepish to begin with and then pretty much levels off through somewhat scruffy bush, with occasional spots offering a view over the reservoir.

Photo by Miranda Woodward

Photo by Miranda Woodward

I head back across the dam and down to the picnic ground. Miranda has the camera and I content myself with noting possible subjects for shooting later.

At the picnic ground there is a covered shelter for railway customers, and others if there is room. I uncork the thermos and pour a coffee, and take in the surroundings. The old tramway route used to ferry materials to the damsite is now travelled by the Rainforest Express, which runs a regular service through the bush from Jacobson's Depot. For details regarding services and fares etc, check out

http://www.watercare.co.nz/default,27.sm

Miranda arrives. She reckons I have a little more training to do before I take on those tracks, in particular, training on steps. Some of the risers are a good 500mm, and that's something I have trouble with still, getting my jknee that close to my chin without injuring my tummy. I'm working on it. She pours a coffee and I wander around a little.

From the picnic ground, a track follows the railway to the base of the dam, and from there a steepish set of steps takes you back to the top. The public is forbidden to use these steps going down, and children are banned both ways, but Miranda heads down for an explore, and I arrange to meet her at the top of the dam.

This time I have the camera and record some of the variety of plant life on the edge of the road.

There's a lemony green tawa, not as much in evidence as in other areas in the Waitaks. Just below is a young rimu. There's enough of these around for me to suspect a conscious planting program, but that could also be true of a host of plants along the edge of the road.

Nikau is very common along the way.

There's a koromiko with somewhat longer flowerheads than I am used to seeing.

and what I'm guessing is a juvenile Coprosma arboreum.

There's a mingimingi close by

and a lacebark (Hoheria)

There's a very lemony tarata - not as common in the wild as it is in the nursery.

and a very delicate little kowhai. From the number of these around, the Nihotupu Dam might repay a spring visit.

I meet Miranda just short of the top of the dam, and we head back up the track to the car. The entire exercise has taken a little under three hours and with a brisk walk up the hill behind me I am feeling pleased with my general increase in fitness. I do have a senior moment however, when I leave my hiking poles leaning against the back of the car and reverse over them on the way out. Bugger!