Monday Walkers
Heading out on a frosty Monday rewarded us with a blue sky day for our walk from Whangamata Rd to Kawakawa Bay and back. This is a grade three walk along the Orakau Stream to the lake with much to admire on the way. Firstly thriving early riparian planting which one of our number had a hand in planting and then past flourishing harakeke in the wetlands. The last striking brick red flowers of the native rewarewa were falling on the track soon to be replaced by the kotukutuka (tree fuchsia) that were just coming into flower. Occasionally we caught a subtle whiff of a clematis also in flower. Looking across the lake we had great clear views of the snow capped Kaimanawas and Mt Ruapehu. Looking downwards also had surprises. Two of the bridges spanned deep clefts in the rock, one we could not see the bottom of. At Kawakawa Bay there were lots of brightly coloured tents set up amongst the trees and we watched the occupants scaling the high cliffs with ropes. Not for the faint hearted. We decided to scramble around the rocks on the foreshore to the big cave and this time saw lots of cave wetas on the roof. The lakeshore and cliffs looked beautiful with the yellow flowering kowhai and a group of tuis were raucously showing their appreciation of the the nectar they provided while ignoring our presence. Finally back after a 20km walk we were tired but happy with our day’s excursion. It’s Labour Day next Monday so no walk. We are back in action on October 29 for a shorter walk. If you would like to join us or for more information search for Taupo Monday Walkers on Facebook, phone David on 027 592 294, or email walkersmondaytaupo@ gmail.com.