Setting off from the edge of the National Park this morning under cover of thick clouds, my bush walk began well and promised to end well with the assurance of a cooked breakfast waiting for us all at Captain Cook’s Monument. My walking companions were  Australians who didn’t seem to mind having a Kiwi for company.

The walk was a gentle 1.8 km through flora that largely resembled that in our native New Zealand bush – cordylines and punga stood in the shadow of majestic Norfolk pine. As we wound our way up hill, we heard the melodious trill of a pair of whistlers and then watched the playful dance of a Pīwakawaka, a pied fantail like we have back home. A family of terns watched us stealthily from their position in a grand old Norfolk pine. We heard the crack-crackle of a native green parrot but we never got a chance to be introduced.

Majestic Norfolk pines

As the bush track advanced towards the coast and the blue of the sea peeped over the cliff edge, the breeze picked up and cooled off the beads of sweat on my face. It was a welcome way to prepare for the gentle incline to the next ridge as we headed towards our promised feast at the culmination of a far from rigorous morning walk.

From left to right: Moo-oo Stone, Green Pool Stone and Cathedral Rock.

Water rushes in and gushes out of Cathedral Rock in almost predictable rhythm.

Our guide told us that he once saw someone kayak through the hole in Cathedral Rock.  Just as I was thinking that would be a pretty impressive thing to do, he told us that the same kayaker smashed his kayak the next time he tried to pass through the hole in the rock. Perhaps I would give that venture a miss.

As for breakfast, well, there was the usual fare of fried sausages, fried bacon, fried potatoes and thankfully, mush for scrambled eggs and more mush for baked beans. I believe the latter two were the tour operator’s options for healthy eating. There was also a basket of mini scones freshly baked by Diesel, the shuttle bus driver. Now those  were a real treat!

The sun was pretty high in the sky when I took my photos so it was really nowhere near the magic hour. Nevertheless, the morning had begun well, the walk had been refreshing and the rest of the day has been a blessing. I’ll take what I can get.