Reflection on the Ahaura River
The day started out windy and cold with a cloud bank that seemed to go on forever. Since our house was on the way from Greymouth, Graham and Trevor picked us up. We had to retreat into the gorse by our letterbox (across the road from our cottage) to get out of the cold wind while we waited. By the time we got to the turnoff on the Ahaura-Kopara Road the cloud bank had virtually disappeared and it turned out to be a hot, clear day. The photograph above shows the reflection of trees at the top and shadow at the bottom on a mirror-smooth river.
Ahaura area map to Jim’s Flat
We drove east on the Ahaura-Kopara Road then turned left onto the logging road at the bottom right. I’m not really sure which way we went from there but the old logging road was more like a wide walking track even when we were driving.
Road to Jim’s Flat. Photo by Trevor
After about ten or 15 kilometres on the Ahaura-Kopara Road (shingle, but good) we had about 10 more on this logging road. It looks picturesque but try telling that to the bottom of Graham’s car. We even got out once to move some large stones from the middle and the long grass hid all sorts of other potential obstacles which we found out about the hard way.
The Ahaura River at Jim’s Flat
River levels are monitored here, some of the equipment is in the foreground of this photo.
South Island robin. Photo by Trevor
South Island robins are always popular. These little fellows eat insects but like to hang around people who will scuff up the soil and expose some tasty morsels. They are fearless and photogenic, no one with a camera can resist taking their picture.
Jim’s Flat Hut
The hut looks new but it is an old hut that has been rebuilt and extended with five bunks with mattresses. It is popular with local hunters, fishermen and campers and is maintained by the Ahaura community.
The tidy kitchen has running water. Photo by Graham
Another river view
Notice the platform at the right hand side of the photo above.
Cage on hut side
The cage to cross to the other side by flying fox. It’s not for anyone though, but for NIWA workers who monitor the river levels. (NIWA is the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.)
In case someone can’t read, the cage is padlocked. It can’t move unless you have a key.
Starvation Point hut
This is an historic hut and better left to the rats who now inhabit it. Quite photogenic from afar but a bit past its use-by-date.
A log overhanging the track to Starvation Point. Photo by Graham
You hope you aren’t under the log when it decides to let go.
A clothesline in the bush
A shirt, shorts and shoes carefully hung in some branches on the way to Jim’s Flat. I wonder what happened to the owner?