Wednesday, March 24, 2021

BOBBY AND MT. PARIHAKA

First of all Bobby.  We kept him locked in (with access to Kim's run) until this morning.  He was not at all happy, just lay on the bottom of his run and slept most of the time.  I know cats sleep a lot anyway but he was not good.  We kept him in so that he couldn't run away to his hiding place on the other side of our neighbours property.

This morning we gave him some food and then let him out and he kept coming and going which was good.  I have found it hard giving him his daily pill as he is so strong and did not want it but I am hoping that as he starts to feel better it will get easier.  Hoping anyway as he has to have them for the rest of his life.

Anyway, we were both feeling quite stressed so decided it was time to go up the Ross Track to the top of Mt. Parihaka.  It is the first time since the major flooding in July last year, in fact it was February last year.

It is a beautiful autumn day so we drove to the beginning of the track. The track is 1.45 kms and is rising all the way.  Gentle slopes with several small staircases.  More steps since the flooding.


This is the "staircase" that was there before the floods


The photo below shows sandbags used to build up the track after the floods and the stream that runs alongside the track




This is where the track has been washed away 



and a diversion put in place.  The piece of fence showing is blocking off the old path and one now goes up two flights of stairs

A kauri tree opposite a well placed bench







The view from the top







This is going down bi-passing the slip


It was a most enjoyable walk although I felt these steps could have done with a handrail and am getting in touch with the Council.  The bottom steps that were less narrow and less steep had a rail but not these ones.

After our walk we went to the Library to get some books then came home for lunch.



18 comments:

  1. All very beautiful, especially the wonky tree!

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  2. I've never gone up there. What is it with trying to give cats pills? Usually 2 of us are needed to get anything like that into Mr Cat.

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    1. It is a great walk. Three different tracks. Not looking forward to giving him pills for the rest of his life. Hope it gets easier

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  3. All very beautiful and, I should think, well worth the effort. The power of floodwater is astonishing - as is the power of small felines!

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    1. Well said. The main road north is still closed from July last year due to slips. Yes, cats have a lot of strength.

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  4. Worth all those steps for the view. It's great that they get in there and fix the track but looking at those steep steps I thought too, where's the rail?
    Positive vibes for Bobby

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    1. Since the flooding and slips there are a lot more steps. I have already emailed the Council about lack of rails. Thanks for the vibes.

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  5. That looks like a lovely walk although those steps might be a bit hard on the knees. I imagine it would be difficult to give a cat a tablet if they didn't want to have it. With the dogs we just hide it in cheese and put it in there food.

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    1. Yes, the steps are hard on the knees, more so going down. Dogs are much better at taking pills.

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  6. Stunning views after the climb!
    Such a pity that those steps got washed away

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    1. There were no steps where it got washed away but the new path goes up and over the headland so there are many more steps now. We will try another track next time.

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  7. A wonderfully vibrant landscape, thanks for sharing the pictures. I do hope Bobby is feeling better soon and continues to take her medicine without too much trouble.
    Jean. x

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    1. We are so lucky with all the walks around here. Bobby seems a lot happier today.

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  8. Beautiful view after a questionable climb, my bad knees would not like it. Can you smash the pill into powder and mix it with soft food?

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    1. Doc, unfortunately, they are slow release pills so can't be crushed. I still have some other options but it went quite smoothly yesterday so I am hopeful.

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  9. Wow, what a fabulous walk. It is so wonderful to get out in nature as it somehow lightens our thoughts and gives us peace.

    Our vet gave us a pill pusher for our cats who, when needing medicine, tend to spit it out. The pill pusher seems to work more than half the time and it is quick.

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    1. It was just what we needed. I felt much more relaxed after the walk. I have a pill pusher but so far he has taken it with just using my hand. I still have the pill pusher as an option.

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