Boots for Walking

In 1966 Nancy Sinatra introduced us to “These Boots Were Made for Walking” and since then a number of other artists have also produced similar work.

You keep saying, you got something for me
Something you call love but confess
You've been messin' where you shouldn't have been messin'
And now someone else is getting all your best

These boots are made for walking
And that's just what they'll do
One of these days these boots
Are gonna walk all over you

Speaking of boots….

The weekend just past, Clayton and Tyler completed their Bronze in Practical Bushcraft by doing a group overnight camp and tramping expedition in the mountainous park region to the east of Wellington. Soon we’ll have two versions of Raymond Paul (‘Ray’) Mears in our home to assist us in times of need. Whilst unlikely, it is possible that their survival skills may come in useful one day in times of a possible natural disaster.

(Above): As part of the course, they crossed a river in full pack, resulting in quite a bit of wet equipment. Here the two pairs of tramping boots stand in front of the fan in the garage to dry out.

(Above): The tent, ground sheets, etc need to be cleaned, dried, checked and re-packed for future use, like any good boy scout, “Be prepared.”

Sunday Afternoon Walk

One of the very picturesque valleys in the area includes the Mangaone South Road off Ngatiawa Road. The end of this road and the associated walk through the river valley was our destination a couple of weeks ago. Two walks start here: the shorter one, the Mangaone Walkway to Mangaone North Road off to the left and the longer more strenuous Pukeatua Track. In New Zealand, these country walks (hiking?), including at least one overnight stay, are known as “tramping”.

Being fairly late in the day, and with the idea of a “test” walk in mind, we chose the shorter Mangaone Walkway, which was previously known as the Reikorangi Track. What a pleasant walk, mostly along cool pathways in dappled shade. The pathway follows the western course of the Waikanae River.

(Above) The initial roadway to the first pedestrian bridge is also used for access to their homes by some nearby residents. It gets steeper as the path progresses.

 
(Above) The pedestrian suspension bridge means that you don’t have to walk across some private residential land down near the river below. The bridge must have been some six, seven, or maybe more storeys above the river bed.

(Above) The track is situated on private land. I guess that this fence ladder is over a boundary fence between properties owned by different owners.

(Above) A number of these little timber bridges span gulleys which would doubtlessly be brim-full during the wet seasons.

 
(Above) We stopped for a short sit-down in this cool peaceful environment, with the babbling stream gurgling past over the well-worn rocks, before heading back to the car-park.

(Above) The remains of an early days boiler contraption, which I would guess, was somehow part of a lumber milling operation, now lies abandoned on the verge.

Five species of tree fern line the track: Katote, Wheki, Wheki-ponga, Ponga and Mamaku. Ground ferns and delicate filmy ferns on tree trunks are also prominent along the track. Perhaps we can research these species, and then identify them on our next walk.

Morepork and other friends

Last week, we went for a mini-hike walk northwards along Terrace Road (see the green route on the map above). This week, it was the south’s turn to put up with us along Ngatiawa Road (red route on the map), tracking the Waikanae River.

Our first port of all was Mike’s place on the opposite side of Kents Road, bordering the river. Brynn is friends with Mike’s daughters Poppy and Katherine, with all their farmyard chickens and ducks and other livestock.

 
Free-range organic are we, says Mr Rooster. Poppy (dark blue shirt) and Katherine (the younger) show Brynn around the chicken range.

Part of Mike’s approximately two dozen flock of sheep grazing near their house. The pines in the background border the river.

Hello Mor-Pork. Quite at home in his large pig-pen.

In the paddock adjoining Morepork’s quarters…

And a small flock of Alpacas rest in the shade.

After seeing all Mike’s gardens and animals, it was off down Kents Road towards the one-way bridge over the Waikanae River.

At this time of the year, the volume of water coming past is not all that great. I’ll check again in the middle of winter for comparison.

This upper reach of the Waikanae River is along Ngatiawa Road East in the direction behind Jeanette.

Uphill along Ngatiawa Road we go…

Growing in the wild along the roadside…

Time-out for a bit of joking, too…

Off the road and onto the Kapakapanui hiking trail. It goes across private property, with clear markers as to where you may go, with easy access across fences where needed.

We finally reach the river. Time-out on a suitable rock in the shade. The day was pleasantly warm, until late afternoon. Brynn eyed the water for a while…

 
Come Dad, let’s take a look across the other side – the hiking track continues up there…