Sunday, 23 October 2011

SEEING THE B-B-B-B-B-BIRD BIRD BIRDS

Following old Richard's example I went hiking today. In New Zealand we usually say 'tramping' but to be fair it was an easy walk and so more like a hike. Around where we live there are lots of bush and marine reserves to choose from. Today we went to Bream Head reserve with some friends who are staying with us for the long weekend. They are Scottish and had peely wally legs. They have been in New Zealand for about 8 years so their skin, once blue is now nearing white so there is some improvement.
We did the Smuggler's Bay/Busby Head walk which is pretty easy but just the thing for people who have had too much wine the night before.


The views of the harbour on one side and the open sea on the other looking out past the Hen and Chicken islands are spectacular. Smuggler's Bay is where contraband (alcohol and tobacco) used to be illegally landed in the nineteenth century. I always imagine finding a crate of old whisky in a sand dune here.




At the top of the Busby Head walk you can look down one side at Frenchman's Island which has a cavern inside and a big door on it like something out of Tolkien. Smugglers used this as an observation post.
On the other side looking out East you can imagine where The Niagara blew up and sunk after hitting the German mine in WWII.

This walk goes through lots of light bush and little cabbage tree plantations. Birds like Kereru (wood pigeon), Tui and Fantails fly in and out of the trees. Every time I saw one I would sing "B-b-b-b-b-bird bird bird, do the bird.." See:


for which I would receive a punch on the arm. Oh what fun.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"They are Scottish and had peely wally legs"
Here we have a good story missed; how did those peely wally knees cope with rugged New zealand? Was it comparable to the highlands? Did Curmuggeon bound from rock to rock grasping vines and diving in to deep pools? Shouting back, "Dig deep"?

Richard (of RBB) said...

"for which I would receive a punch on the arm."
I'm sending The Old Girl a club. God knows she deserves relief from your silly songs.