A Bush Walk - A Random Wall and A Very Close Call!

From the photos I've seen, Marble Hill Campsite looked like a nice place to stay. For awhile now, I've wanted to visit but it's a DOC camp and no dogs are allowed. However, recently I was passing by and the dogs weren't with me, so I stopped to check it out.

Marble Hill Campsite is located 5km east of Springs Junction, on Lewis Pass Highway (SH7). It's a large area suitable for any length campervan, with a selection of hard, flat areas to park, and little secluded nooks for the smaller campers and tents.

Near the end of the campsite, on the left, is a shelter and it's here that the popular Lake Daniell track begins, it's about 8kms one way and can be done in a day. The shelter is also where the Sluice Box Walk begins. The sluice box is a deep, narrow gorge along the Maruia River.  

The track winds through a beautiful beech forest. Every now and then I noticed a splash of colour, which stood out amongst the many shades of green and brown. Nature really is breathtaking!

It wasn't long before I came to the Sluice Box Bridge. Usually, it's an easy 5 minute walk to the bridge, however I took a little longer because I kept stopping to take photos.

The colour of the water below was stunning.- another of nature's gems. 

As tempting as it was to continue walking, I had a long drive ahead. The rest of the walk would have to wait for another time.  

As I was nearing where I'd parked the car, I noticed a worn, grass track leading towards a low concrete, wall  - I went to investigate.

I'm pleased I did because I discovered this random concrete wall had been built for a purpose. The wall was built by scientists in 1964 and is 24 metres long and 1.4 metres high, with most of it underground. 

It turned out that the wall hadn't been randomly put there, it had been precisely placed to sit through the middle of the Alpine Fault. Scientists were monitoring movement in the Alpine Fault and their theory was if one side of the fault moved in relation to the other, it would be measured on the wall.

It's reassuring to note, since the wall has been there, it hasn't moved, and because there's been no movement in almost 60 years it indicates that the Alpine Fault doesn't make small movements. Instead like most active faults in New Zealand (and worldwide), it makes large movements!

And close to the wall, is a fenced area that Maruia School children have adopted as a restoration project for two vulnerable frost flat plant species.

Time was marching on, so I wandered back to the car, stopping to admire wildflowers amongst the grass.

Not far away were several campers nestled at the edge of the beech forest. It looked like a great spot!

I was pleased I'd spent a few hours exploring and can see why many people recommend it. 

Leaving the campsite, I stopped at the main road to give way. There were no vehicles on my left and on my right, I noticed a vehicle in the distance. So I pulled out. However, within seconds, I saw that the vehicle on my right was being over taken - the over-taking car must have been in a blind spot. I only had seconds to react, which strangely, at the time, felt longer. There was no option except to drive straight ahead, which fortunately happened to have a pull over area. I was literally seconds away from being hit and what surprises me to this day is how calm I felt in those split seconds.

However, afterwards, I didn't feel so calm. I kept replaying it over and over and questioned myself over an over. By the grace of God, I'd narrowly avoided being in an accident. It's been a wake up call. Check, check and check again!

Life could have changed so quickly.   

Lake Alexandrina - MacKenzie Country

5am - the alarm went off. Here we are on one long holiday and I'm getting up earlier than I did when I was working. But it's easy getting out of bed knowing I'm off to take photos of the sunrise.
Last night I'd driven to Lake McGregor to capture the sunsetting and this morning I wanted to see Lake Alexandrina as the sun was coming up. The light at the start of the day and end of the day is beautiful - little wonder it's called 'The Golden Hour'.

I wanted to take Oakly with me and he was keen to come, but I  had to leave him behind as Lake Alexandrina is a DOC area that doesn't allow dogs.
I took a brief detour passed the 'Church of the Good Shepherd' to see if anyone was there at that hour. They were - at least a dozen people with cameras and tripods, waiting for the first glimpses of sunlight.
Getting to Lake Alexandrina is along the same road I drove last night - heading south/west from Lake Tekapo there's a sign indicating to turn right towards the Mt John observatory. 

After 10 kilometres, I turned off Godley Peaks Road, onto a gravel road leading to Lake McGregor (and then 500 metres further on is Lake Alexandrina).

Lake McGregor was a soft pinky grey colour, with barely a ripple.

There wasn't a soul in sight at Lake McGregor's DOC camping ground. I counted about 30 campers.

A small section of gravel road had been sealed up the incline over the hill.

Just over the hill's summit, Lake Alexandrina appeared. I was surprised how close the two lakes were.

Another surprise were the holiday homes at the edge of the lake and the caravans on either side of the stream flowing from Lake Alexandrina into Lake McGregor.

I walked along the lake's edge, enjoying the peacefulness and watching the colour changing as the sun rose.

Lake Alexandrina is long and narrow. It's a very deep and cold lake which is spring fed.

It's a popular spot for fishing, large brown and rainbow trout have been caught and the occasional salmon.

Several row boats were tucked in amongst the grass on the lake shore.

The endangered Australian Crested Grebe made a few appearances - each time keeping its distance.

As I wandered over the hill between the two lakes, a handful of rabbits darted away and a few startled merino sheep moved aside to let me pass. The sheep sounded like they were being slaughtered as they bleated to each other. 

The little lambs were funny looking with their long legs and saggy skin.

Before long the sun was up and was casting a golden glow over the willows bordering Lake McGregor.

The only person I saw was a hopeful fisherman out on the lake making the most of the still morning.

Also making the most of the early morning solitude was a mother duck and her eight ducklings.

Walking back to the ute I noticed two campers who'd found a picturesque spot to stay beside the stream.

And near Lake Alexandrina on either side of the outflow stream were clusters of caravans. They looked abandoned and were still locked up waiting for the busy summer season ahead. 

I wondered if one of the campers had perhaps set their pet rabbit free? This little ginger bunny was nibbling on grass beside another wild rabbit. It's colouring was so different to the others I'd seen in the area.

A narrow, wooden footbridge crossed the stream, close to where I'd parked the ute.

Reflections started appearing in the water and it looked like we were in for another scorcher day.

It was time to head home ... back passed Lake McGregor again.

Another quick stop to watch some geese grazing.

There was so much honking as they took off!

The view over the basin was beautiful - the temperature was warm and getting warmer by the minute. And there wasn't a breath of wind.

Sweet briar which grows wild throughout the McKenzie district filled the air with the most divine smell. Looking just like an old world rose.