It is Saturday and time to play. Betsy and I are on our own, the others are in Auckland. Since it was Saturday, we went to the Farmers Market in Matakana, along with everyone else in the surrounding area. It was an easy drive north from Snells Beach. We parked in the town-provided lot for free and walked the couple hundred yards to the market. We passed some of the neatest looking restrooms.
The market was jammed with folks and after seeing it, we understand why. The food products on offer were outstanding and very high quality. On the way down to the stalls, we passed the dog sitting service station, with two dog minders. The dogs were happily tied up on a wide bench and given treats, while their owners shopped.
We purchased baked pastries at the first stall, tasted very fine olive oil next door, then sampled cashew butter (ground cashews made into butter), locally-made honey and sausages. There were cheese makers, bread bakers, even a guy sharpening knives, various craft goods, and a variety of prepared-to-order foods. After making the circuit, we went back to buy small containers of honey and cashew butter.
The market was on the riverside, with long fin and short fin eels swimming in the muddy brown water, and just upstream from a "waterfall," more like a cascade to us. We strolled down for a look and then went up to a coffee shop for 'elevenses' of chai and cappuccino. We went a short ways back to our car, found a picnic table and enjoyed our pastries and drinks.
The rest of the day was spent at Tawharanui Regional Park, and very good afternoon it was. After a twisty, undulating road out to the peninsula, we walked the Ecology Path, a 4 km route that passes along many different habitats. The Park has a predator border fence and so is isolated from predators. Native birds have been, and continue to be re-introduced, including kiwis. It was like a bigger, more natural form of Wellington's Zealandia in terms of wildlife. We took our time and had a great time identifying the various species of birds, plants, trees, and coastal critters. We started along a beach with a few families playing in the water, collected a couple of interesting shells, and then explored tide pools, seeing oysters and several other types of mollusks. The app "Seek" identified the species.
We next climbed off the beach and zigzagged up a stream canyon, with a multitude of birds. We saw Tuis, Saddlebacks, Fantails, Bellbirds, Wood Pigeons, but no Kiwis, or Moreporks (Owls), though a guy we passed said they had been spotted recently. The woods were full of glorious birdsong. After climbing up the canyon, we crossed into pasture lands (cattle herds roam these areas) and then down through another area of native bush, streams and wetland. We had a grand time identifying the many native trees. Betsy had purchased a small guide which helped with identification. I was able to verify her conclusions with Seek. It is an incredible resource that not only identifies the species, but allows you to photograph them and stores "your observations." If in WiFi territory, you can delve deeper into the species, such as common name, where they are found, etc.
What a fine day! ET
ReplyDeleteSounds like a full and fine day. And looks warm, too. Claire
ReplyDeleteI like fiddleheads too
ReplyDeleteAmazing and interesting time you are enjoying! JR
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