Part of being away is about being in nature and watching what goes on with the wildlife and their surrounds over an hour or day or week(s). We were all keen as mustard to visit the biggest tree in NZ, Tane Mahuta Lord of the Forest. The magic of being in the beautiful native bush in the presence of these Kauri giants, one of which was over 2000 years old, was a wondermoment.
And then sobering to reflect on the phenomenal decimation of these majestics. Even more so when we find out later at the family reunion that Ally’s forebears were heavily involved in logging in Northland.
Whilst at Te Ngaere we watched a ball of grey fluff turn into a red-beaked oyster catcher nearly as big as its parents over the course of a few weeks. Surrounded by the usual feathered inhabitants of the bay – ubiquitous seagulls, graceful terns and a pair or two of determined dotterels pittering along the beach.
GardenofBeeden RTW 