I'm glad it's cloudy today. First, clouds are closer to rain than blue skies, and we do keep hoping for a very wet overnight rainfall. Second, I wanted to take you inland today. Even though the west coast beaches have reopened after a man was attacked by a great white shark, the thought of that tragic death is still with me, and I don't feel like cavorting in the surf today.
So — are you ready? Shoes off, and down the steps we go. And thank you for letting me know how much you enjoyed our bare-foot coastal walk. This next one has some surprises.
First we walk alongside the stream. The path is sandy, and pleasant underfoot.
It takes us to a big open space. This sand-impounded dune is one of the largest in New Zealand. It was formed over a long time, as the wind blew sand up from the beach and almost completely blocked the Wainamu stream, which was innocently gurgling its way down from the bush-covered Waitakere hills (now Centennial Park).
yes - it's still here, and if we just keep walking we will soon see more. . .
These hot feet need cooling, so in we plunge for a delicious freshwater swim.
In the next blog I will take you to a special part of this reserve, which I haven't been able to visit for many years - and I'll tell you why. For now, I leave you swimming in the lake, refreshing yourself. This post has taken one hour and 40 minutes to complete, using my laptop on dialup from the bach. So I think I'll wait till I'm back in town before finishing the story. Thank you for your company; it's good to know that you are out there.
9 comments:
After the walk I dive into the Lake Wainamu, in nice fresh water, how I love to be here.
Do you see me swimming like a dolphin?
What a nice post!
Have a nice weekend!
I remember walking those dunes as we followed the comet. Today I've been walking barefoot along a local beach, wading in the water which is always a pleasure.
I enjoy vicariously walking with you.
I needed this cool dip after working in the garden this afternoon. It was very hot even in the shade.
We have cloud here tonight but will we get rain? I hope we get some and that you do too.
How wonderful to have a freshwater lake so close to home. And so close to the ocean as well. We don't have access to freshwater like that in Sydney; we have to go way, way, way into the country. That's terrible about the shark attack! xx
My! That's quite a dune! And what a lovely ending to a walk.
You are a hero for dealing with dial-up in order to entertain us!
* Diana, I can just imagine you swimming like a dolphin in the lake!
* Ruth what memories - I remember looking for the comet at night from those dunes.
* Lynley, we had a light shower this morning, but hardly enough to wet the land.
* Charlie, it's so special to have this lake so close to the sea.
* Vicki, the swim was just perfect.
Thank you Diana, Ruth, Lynley, Charlie and Vicki, for joining me on the walk.
As a dolphin swims in the sea,
A human dreams he could be
A dolphin.
In the gentle seas.
The dolphin lives in perfect harmony,
While man live a life of greed and jelousy.
If only we could see,
The way a dolphin lives to be.
Humans could learn from the dolphins,
And live in perfect Harmony.
Poem I've found on the internet.
Also my message to the world.
I AM out here, Juliet, and I enjoyed every footstep of our walk. How beautiful your journey is and I thank you for letting me come along on your inland walk.
We heard about that shark attack. How very tragic.
* Diana, thank you for the lovely dolphin poem. They are such special creatures.
* Penny, wonderful to know that you are out there! And I'm glad you enjoyed the walk. The shark attack was out of the blue; a film-maker, only 47, who was practising for an ocean swim. He swam through a feeding ground. Swimming from the beach is safe, I'm told; it was just that he was in deep water. So tragic, as you say.
* Thank you Penny and Diana.
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