Day 05: Ngā Manu Nature Reserve

Scottie’s Story

I dropped Rob off at his accommodation this morning, then headed off in the car to the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. I discovered that Google Maps is mute when the phone is plugged in to charge, which is a bit (OK, a lot) naff as using the maps drains the life out of the battery really quickly. It made the journey slightly more challenging than it needed to be, but I got there fine with only one bit where Google got me to a double roundabout and signalled for me to loop back, which is not dissimilar to a roundabout in Edinburgh near the city bypass, so I did this and it send me back around it again. After 2 circuits of this lovely double roundabout I took the bull between the horns and just picked an exit before I got dizzy.

Once there I wandered around, in the sunshine, listening to birdsong (but struggled to see them), enjoying the views and the peace and quiet. I think the biggest excitement (for the youngsters) was feeding the ducks as that area was busy but I hardly saw anyone while I walked around the rest of the reserve. The area in the map that I got given on entry makes it look like a small area, but when arriving at the reserve there were loads of signs for walks but I couldn’t see where to park or where to get a map so I didn’t go exploring further.

I did finally get to see a kiwi, but I use the term “see” lightly as it is a dark coloured bird, in a darkened glass cage in a darkened room so I really just saw some of the lighter feathers move while the bird slept. Ironically I didn’t even see an eye blink, but I guess that they’d be closed while it was sleeping. It was a nice enough place for a quick wander, but it felt like it really is more for the little ones.

I was going to go for a meal on the way home, but it meant that I had to go south for a while, then loop back north again to the restaurant as there was no other option. I thought that I might have to then continue north after the meal before finding another exit to get me going back south again, so I decided to find somewhere else to eat and ended up back home with food from the nearby supermarket. A picnic à la maison will do nicely. Now to go and plan what to do tomorrow.