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Funny how you can pass something so often and never go to investigate? Well this day we did. We (my Son and I) decided to go and check out a bush walk we had seen marked from the main road on the other side of the Kaimai Range, from where we lived.
Sign on right, carpark on left. Doesn't look that inviting does it? Sign just say's "Walking track"
image: google street view
This bush walk promised to bring you to a small stand of Kauri trees, Sentinels of our forest. Kauri trees are some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. New Zealanders love them with a passion, possibly because they are endangered, (sigh), possibly because they were decimated in the very early day's for their unbelievably straight, strong and beautiful wood, so there are not that many left. More recently they have been struck with a terrible disease called "Kauri die back" so they are even more precious.
One of the largest still in existence is called Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) I have seen this tree for myself and it is truly magnificent. It is believed to be between 2500-3000 years old ! Here is a great little site if you'd like to know more without getting bogged down in facts. (written for visiting backpackers)
http://www.backpackerguide.nz/new-zealand-fascinated-kauri-tree/
Anyway...on with the bush walk.
We set off early one Sunday morning in the late Summer. What a great day to be in the bush!! After 30 minutes or so we came to the first river crossing...it was so lovely, we stopped to take photos.
We were to cross this same river seven times getting to our destination. Each time it was different, each time it looked amazing.
Nothing quite beats getting your feet wet on a hot Summer's day. We hadn't had any rain for quite a long time so the river was running low. I made sure I steered clear of the deeper parts, didn't want any eels having a nibble!!
It took a bit of getting used to the fact that, because we were on the other side of the range, the river was running the opposite way to what we were used to!!
The bird song was beautiful. We may not have the most colourful birds in the world, but their song is certainly out of this world.
You have to watch where you put your footing, the tree roots are everywhere. Great for climbing uphill though, they make wonderful steps.
A living web of tree roots
At long last we came to the end of the track and there in front of us were three beautiful Kauri. I would have taken better photo's if I'd known I would ever share something like this!! They were sitting right at the end of the track partially on a bank that fell away into the river, we'd come to the end of the line,
They were so tall and straight.....If I recall (some doubt here) they were between 500-700 years old. Their trunks reached way up to the sky, we were tiny compared to them.
To give you a quick comparison, I have two of them in my garden. The one on the left was planted when my Husbands son was born, so that it 28 years old, the one on the right we estimate to be at least 80-100 years old. They look like babies compared to the ones on the track.
I had read somewhere that the early Maori settlers children used to use the resin from the Kauri as chewing gum. When you cut a Kauri or damage it, the gum leaks out to seal and heal the would. If a branch falls off it does the same. Here are some close ups, it looks like candle wax drippings
Yes I did try some and it was nice and chewy but a little Turpentine-ish.
The dried leaves when put on the fire, burn with fierce fury, they are full of resin.
So now it was time to turn back and cross the river another seven times.
As we neared the way out, we met an enthusiastic group of elderly people, walking- poles in hand trekking in. Big "Hello's" all round and they were off.
We got out and headed to the nearest cafe for coffee and a chat about the morning and what we'd seen.
Sometimes words are just not enough.