Wednesday Walkers

Twenty-seven Wednesday walkers last week departed the carpark across the road from the Taupo¯ Events Centre, initially tracking along Tauhara Rd before entering the walkway between that road and Crown Rd. Yet more of those abundant walkways between streets were accessed starting from next to Taharepa shopping centre. Progressively, as several streets were briefly transited many had difficulty identifying their exact position without street signs until we emerged from the upper edge of Kimberly Reserve and back on Taharepa Rd. The group passed Taupo¯ Intermediate School before skirting the rather wide open space surrounding our hospital and pondered why this vast open space encompasses this precious facility. The periphery of Tauhara College grounds and Crown Park were followed in a semi circle until reaching the walkway leading back to Tauhara Rd and the initial outward track followed in reverse. Another interesting walk passing adjacent to and through areas our out-of-town participants seldom visit or are aware of. Further information regarding walks and the start point are available from Bernie on 378 9229. reserve land was destined for subdivision but saved in 1966 and even in 1980 HM Fletcher commented in his book that the acquisition was the envy of much larger towns. The gardens are predominantly planted in native trees and plants and this along with predator trapping provides a great urban sanctuary for native birds. The birdsong was drowned by much chatting although one sharp-eared walker heard the call of a shining cuckoo. Heaps of colour was provided by banks and glades of azaleas and rhododendrons. When the number of camillas are added to the count over 2000 of these flowering plants have been planted. There were new tracks to explore on the southern boundary of the reserve, all comfortable walking terrain with plenty to admire including the hidden painted rocks left by adventurous children. Out of respect for our noble Agathis australis vulnerability to kauri dieback we skirted the Ferndell and Kauri Grove to avoid any potential