A trek through the rainforest

 January 3rd

With a day in hand until our cave trip, we took the North road towards Kohaihai River. It was another late start, didn't leave until well after 9.30 am, Gosh is this becoming a habit? Cant afford to be late tomorrow though as we meet up with Clive for the Oparara Cave tour at 9 am.

The road followed the coast with its inviting beaches, the day was already getting warm and a swim could easily be had. Unfortunately swimming along this part of the coast was unadvisable because of a dangerous undertow. The only places safe to swim was at the swimming holes at Karamea, Little Wanganui, Kohaihai & Oparara Rivers. 

 

We carried on until we could drive no further, a DOC site was at the end for overnight stay in self contained vehicles only, and if it hadn't been for the i site lady saying the dreaded words "Lots of sandflies there" we may have gone for our overnight stay. With the amount of bites both of us has had to endure these last few days, she pointed to this wee bottle of spray. "It's the best product on the market for stopping the blighters" she told us. We did no more than pass over the $16 and hoped this time the stuff would work.

 

The Heaphy track starts from this point. It's funny how I mentioned the distance of 82 km yesterday. I looked that up on the web but the board it stated another figure completely.

After applying that new sandfly repellant, we set off along the Heaphy track to Scots Hill lookout. 30 minute of steady climbing and I stupidly forgot my poles!

The path wasn't at all challenging, just steep in places, but I was very aware that if I buggered up the knee today, that cave walk would be off for tomorrow and I very much doubt if we would get our money back. So the 30 minutes of steady walking pace was reduced considerably, and it took us nearly 45 minutes to get there. The crossing of the swing bridge was rather tame compared to that of the Buller swing bridge

 

 I did wonder if walking all that way was worth it. I suppose had the vegetation not obscured the view somewhat, it might have been okay

 

The walk through the rainforest was amazing, very atmospheric and wet in places, that did make the walk worthwhile.

As usual the walk down was horrible especially without my sticks. Very glad to reach that swing bridge, stood for a while on the bridge admiring the reflections of the very clear water.

You can tell which way the wind blows.

This was my photo and...

 

Taken with his phone. (Hate him!!)

Nearly back to the car park and another track led to another lookout. Well, we couldn't pass that by so up more steps and another steep path to see this.

 And the great news after the walk...not a sandfly bite anywhere. Yea...that spray worked

 We had been told about a walking tree. Really???? This we had to see so back to Karamea to try to find it. After taking several wrong roads we eventually took the fork at the crossroads to the cemetery. Ian saw it first. I suppose you could say it was walking across the field. The locals actually say it's the dancing tree. Best make your own minds up about which one it was.

The rest of the afternoon was spent back at the Toy, in the shade of the awning 'cos that sun was ever so hot! At 5 pm on the dot the hire car arrived. It’s a RAV 4-wheel drive. I've done the lunch in preparation for tomorrow's trip and was mortified to find the fruit cake bought several days ago had gone mouldy. Should have kept it in the fridge I suppose but there was no room, so it stayed in the cupboard where the humidity was high.

Not sure whether there will be a blog tomorrow. Out all day with the hire car, we are solely reliant on the solar blanket placed on the windscreen. No sun...no charging of batteries and to keep the fridge going is more important than keeping the laptops and phones charged. 

And wildlife seen today

Swamp Harrier

Tui with its cotton wool ball on its throat.

Weka.

Redwinged Lycid Beetle,