22 July 2007

Upper Huia Dam Track
(Partial)

page 4

The slope is generally a little quieter now, though it has never been severe. There's still a lot of water around on the track.

I wonder how they ever fitted a tramway along here. The ferns are rather lovely

We are still descending gently.

Another stream crossing. No big deal.

We make our way along the edge of the stream down towards the lake.

A parataniwha shines in the slight gloom. I'm surprised I haven't seen more of it, though, as it happens, there is much more to be seen.

Another bank full of ferns - I think, still, creek fern,

with some fertile fronds emerging from the centre of each

More parataniwha as we cross a small inlet stream

There's a handsome piece of fungus just here.

and it becomes even more of a puzzle as to where a tramway might have fitted itself along here.

though I'd have to admit this wall looks man-made.

The camera is just beginning to play up a little. I am thinking the lake should not be too far ahead now, so I push on a little further.

There's a fine growth on a bare rock. I experiment a little more with the camera, but in the end, I decide it's not going to be at all satisfactory.

Back at the van once more. There's a beef casserole in the wide-neck thermos, a slight chill still in the air and the sun is shining brightly after several grey days. If I wasn't worried about the camera, it'd be close to perfection.