Warding off Jack Frost- Cromwell

Catch-up (early October, 2019)

After I'd completed my mega road trip from Winton to Cromwell & Lawrence return, to photograph the fruit blossoms, a photography acquaintance mentioned that I should do the trip again, at least to Cromwell, to take photos of the blossoms after the frost protection sprinklers were switched on in the orchards. 

Sunrise over Cromwell

How do frost protection sprinklers work? Coating a tree or vine with ice to protect new buds & blossom from frost may seem counter-intuitive but there is a science behind it.

Overhead low pressure sprinkler systems provide a high level of protection, the key is to form clear ice on the plant. Sprinklers deliver just enough water to glaze the plants in layers of ice, rather than soaking them and forming one massive layer of ice that may cause more cooling before it freezes.

Clear ice means that an endothermic reaction is taking place and the warmth of the plant is being trapped inside it. If the ice starts to become cloudy, the plant is losing heat and that’s when damage can occur. Water spraying starts well before the frost forms and continues until after the ice has completely melted from the trees. If water stops spraying on the clear ice, it goes from being endothermic to exothermic, and the heat loss and ice can then damage the fruit.

Drive back to Cromwell? 'What a good idea', I thought, the seed was planted. It would mean a 4am start to cover the 200+km from Winton to Cromwell but I was up for the challenge. Like a hoar frost, iced blossoms had been on my 'must capture' list for awhile, I'd just never been in the right place at the right time. Now was my chance. 

My friend had access to a Cromwell orchard's temperature gauge and he informed me by text late one evening that there was a predicted frost the following morning and I should be ready to go.

It turned out to be a very light frost and the sprinklers weren't needed but thankfully he was able to text me before I had left Winton. The next time I heard from him was a week or so later but unfortunately we had left Winton and were exploring the Milford Road by then, so I missed out again.

But as luck would have it, and after our short visit to Mavora Lakes, we were unexpectedly back in Cromwell parked in the NZMCA Park at Lowburn when very early one morning, around 3am, I woke with start to a very loud noise filling the air.

Once I figured out where I was- you get that when you're constantly on the move, it's sometimes takes a few moments to visualise where you're parked and in what direction you're facing- I realised that I could hear wind turbines and helicopters roaring into action, preparing to fight off a frost. 

How about that! I had no need to drive 400km this time, I was a mere 4kms down the road from the orchards! I was ready to go and out the gate well before the sun came up. The first orchards were still in darkness but I could hear the soft click, clack of the sprinkler heads turning and the gentle patter of water falling through the trees to the ground.

I carried on to the far end of Cromwell and then around onto a back road; sprinklers swishing back & forward everywhere I looked, a helicopter down very low in one orchard, weaving back and forward along the ends of the rows and the roar of wind fans and turbines in others.

All three methods obviously work but I'm not too sure how the orchardists decide which is the best way to go; sprinkler systems seemed to be most numerous.

Perhaps it's money, helicopters would cost a fortune, maybe there isn't access to water or perhaps the wind turbines can be shifted around the orchard more easily.

I had overlooked one major difficulty which now seems rather obvious. I was soaking wet within minutes of getting out of the ute- even with a rain jacket & gumboots on.

It didn't matter that I was ducking in and out of the passing overhead sprinkler trying to shoot a blossom before the sprinkler passed over again because if the sprinkler next door didn't get me the neighbour on the other side would. They were all out of sequence. 

Luckily I had an extra jacket in the ute and there were a couple of large towels packed into the back seat. I used one to cover the seat as I was climbing in and out in my wet gear all the time and the other one to wipe down my camera and dry my hair! I looked like a drowned rat. 

I was a little worried about my camera though, it's weather proof but not water proof and also, as I was zooming my lens in and out, water was tracking inside the lens.

Later when I arrived home and had dried my camera and lens out as much as I could, I left them on the bed in the warm sun to dry them out. I opened the window a little so any water would evaporate rather than condensate in the warmth. It worked although it did take a few hours each day to get rid of the moisture. Next time I need a waterproof cover for my camera.

After flitting back and forward through town and up and down down many of the back roads chasing sprinklers and easy to access orchards, I stopped at the Wooing Tree Vineyard, right in the middle of town. The sprinklers were also working overtime here and...

...at River Rock Estate, a little boutique winery across the road...

...where I managed to do a few close up shots...

...without getting drenched as I could keep outside the sprinkler's reach. 

Then with the sun climbing higher, the ice melting and enough blossoms photos to sink a ship, I thought I might just add a few more before I headed home. 

I'd passed this row of beautiful old crab-apple trees numerous times during the last couple of hours, now I stopped to take some photos of the gorgeous blossom.

Never satisfied and always striving for better photos, I can't wait until the next frost event. If you're passing through Cromwell next spring and you spot someone with a camera, ducking & diving around the fruit trees on the edge of an orchard covered from head to toe in ocean going wet weather gear, you'll know who it is! 

Napier to Lake Tutira Return

Catch-up, we're back in the land of the living after a couple of weeks visiting two Hawkes Bay lakes, one of them twice! 

After 11 weeks and a whole summer in the Bay it was finally time to say a reluctant farewell to Mum & Dad. Although it was tempered quite a bit due to the fact that they were going to visit us at our next camp over the weekend and we'd see them again in July when we returned for a significant birthday and anniversary.

Joy in her Happy Place

Our first stop isn't too far north of Napier, just 40kms up State Highway 2. We'd arranged to have a final hurrah weekend with our Hawkes Bay family camping buddies, Joy & Kevin (they've been camping, along with Pam & Gerald, at Lake Tutira for over 40 years, Joy calls it her special place).

It was great news for us when Pam & Gerald were also able to join us. They were intending to head off on their own holiday but a change of plan meant they were still in the Bay.

Lake Tutira looked stunning on a typically calm, hot and sunny HB day.

The lake has had many issues with water quality and algal blooms over the years but we all had to admit that it was looking the best its ever done with lovely clear water, happy birds and no dead fish, gunge and muck along the shoreline. The Regional Council has been working hard to sort the ongoing problems out. Because of a unusual quirk the inlet and outlet to the lake are virtually side by side at the north end, so the lake doesn't flush as a lake would normally do.

Here are a couple of photos from a visit to the lake a few years ago; it looks absolutely stunning in autumn too.

We all arrived within the hour, circled the wagons and set about relaxing. The only problem was in an effort to give us all some shade; it was a scorcher of an afternoon, we managed to commit the cardinal sin of failing to check the TV reception! 

Because we were going to be staying longer we parked up first. Actually, I did check it and David did inch forward and back trying to get a direct line but the outer edge of the leafy trees just kept getting in the way. In the end we decided we didn't need TV over the weekend and we'd move once the others had left on Sunday.  David had other ideas though, and after some of us went for a walk, we returned to find David had moved 'Out There' further into the shade but now with a direct line of reception. No need to move now....hmm, famous last words!

Family friends arrived for happy hour and a BBQ late Friday afternoon but before we could imbibe Joy and Kevin route-marched us off on a bush walk. Thank God they weren't about to make us head up to Table Mountain trig.  Instead we did a nice easy loop through a bush gully, past the bottom of the trig track which went straight up, and back along a small ridge overlooking the lake (although I'm not so sure Heather thought it was easy- that's her taking a breather on the sign post!).

When I looked out early the next morning a thick cover of fog blanketed the lake and campsite; it was cold and miserable so I headed back to bed. The next time I looked out, I just about fell over myself trying to get something decent on and grab my camera to catch the mist in the sun rays. It was gone in a flash.

There's also another good short walk around the edge of the much smaller Lake Waikopiro which is right beside Lake Tutira. Lake Waikopiro has also had water issues over the years but within the last year an air curtain has been installed to help aerate the lake. 

And it seems to be working, like Lake Tutira the water was also clean and clear. So clear we could see plenty of huge carp lazing in the shallows. We all thought they were trout to begin with, we were quite a way from and looking down on them. Both of the fish photos below are zoomed in. It wasn't until we saw the photos up close that we could see the large scales and wide flat heads of the carp. As a pest eating the oxygen weed and small trout, they'll have to go eventually too.

You can see the 'curtain' of air bubbles in the top right photo. 

How do you like my 'curtain of bees'?! They were there all day, I guess the queen was in there somewhere.

Sunday morning also dawned with a thick layer of fog over the lake. This time I got up and dressed and made my way down to the lake edge just as it started to lift. No show without Punch; I was trying for a still reflective shot of the raupo (swamp reed) but the swans followed me along, disturbing the water as they came.

My peaceful early morning was shattered when I heard a whole lot of yelling coming from the thick mist. This lady in her kayak appeared out of the gloom shouting to her partner in a nearby bus to take a photo. The mist lifted before he managed to get it together. 

The lakes and reserve are a wildlife refuge and there are a good number of birds to be seen including a large flock of turkeys on the farmland behind the camp. A family with 4 chicks spent much of their day away from the flock and down near the lake. Both adult birds looked like females (the large gobbler who I assume would be the father was with the flock, often standing guard on a rock overlooking them grazing). I'm now wondering if one of these adults is a older daughter or sister of the other adult. I can find no information on whether a caregiver helps the mother with the chicks away from the flock.

Other birds in the set are, from top left- Black Swan, Pied Stilt and a Kereru/NZ Wood Pigeon feeding on the seeds of a native Cabbage tree.

I was excited to locate several very shy Dabchicks/NZ Grebe/Weweia on both lakes. This photo is zoomed in and heavily cropped, they disappeared underwater as soon as they spotted me or any movement.

A family of Black Swans kept me entertained in camp; after swimming and feeding in the lake for most of the morning they would slowly graze their way up the grass bank, across the track and through the gates into our camping 'paddock'. They'd gradually make their way haphazardly, but in a loose group- Dad was keen to sort anyone out who got to close- to the back of the paddock feeding and resting as they went. But come 7pm and just before the light failed, Dad, Mum and five nearly grown signets would march in single file all the way back to the lake.

Every night we were there. You could set your clock by them. 

Mum & Dad arrived for lunch on Sunday and once again, before we could eat, Joy marched us off on a walk; this time a little shorter and an easier walk for our older guests. A small promontory juts out into the lake not far from camp, Oporae Pa is an old Maori pa and you can see why it was chosen; surrounded on 3 sides by water, a natural defense and with 360 degree views, they could easily spot approaching strangers. There was also a moat on the 4th side and a bridge for access.

The view from the pa site back to camp, our vans are hidden in the trees to the right of the vehicles (remember to click on the photos to enlarge).

We said our final farewells to everyone as they all left for their homes back in Napier late on Sunday afternoon. We shout out the family saying 'Thank God they've gone!!' as each one leaves camp although it doesn't quite have the jovial ring about it this time.

We've had such a ball with our motorhoming families this visit; camping at Oceanbeach, Kuripapango, happy hours at Art Deco, regular family gatherings and lunches and one last camp here at Lake Tutira. We will miss the familiar company and easy going lifestyle that comes with camping with family. But I'm sure it won't be long before we meet up again, especially now that we're in the North Island for awhile.

In fact David has to head back into Napier for the day on Tuesday morning, a CV joint failed on the ute sometime over the weekend and he's made an appointment at Ford to have it fixed. I'll stay back at Lake Tutira with the 5th-wheeler. Luckily, it's happened now and not somewhere remote up the coast.

On Monday David and I headed into the hills behind Lake Tutira, to Boundary Stream, a Mainland Island bird sanctuary (an area protected from pests and predators). We've visited Boundary Stream a few times, once coming in from Glenfalls and the Mohaka River at the other end of the road.

Napier's Scinde Island (Bluff Hill) can just be seen way off on the horizon.

We hadn't intended to visit the sanctuary this time, just visit the other end of the reserve to check out the highest waterfall in Hawkes Bay, Shine Falls. But Pam & Gerald had been up to the reserve the day before and been ambushed by the recently released kaka (native parrot). Pam got some good photos so I thought we might see them up close too. 

Unfortunately we only saw one bird and it was up in the trees. We did the short loop walk, hoping they might have returned to the feed station by the time we got back. But the only movement I saw was under the feed platform; a cheeky wee mouse scuttling around (bottom left photo). We did see all the regular native birds though, including a North Island Bush Robin (top right) and also a few dozen Red Admiral butterflies feeding on honeydew produced by the beech tree scale. Several wasps were also feeding on the dew and harassing the butterflies.

On the way back to camp we stopped at the Lake Opouhai kiwi creche. The small lake and surrounding bush reserve has a predator proof fence around it. Kiwi chicks are released here until they reach a certain weight and can fend for themselves against a predator when released into the outside world.

Back at camp the weather took a turn for the worse, the wind picked up and heavy rain began to fall. Suddenly we were all on our lonesome and the camp looked utterly miserable. And now with serious rain fade on our TV signal it looked like it was going to be a long night without the internet and TV.

We made the hasty decision to hitch up and head back to Napier. That way David could also get to Ford early without having to drive the 40kms from the lake. So through torrential rain and heavy traffic we wound our way back up and over the hills, back to Napier.

And that was how 'Out There' found herself back here at the Ericksen Road NZMCA Park! Will Napier ever let us go...

Popular Playground- Pilot Bay

Catch-up

Mt Maunganui's Pilot Bay is a very popular place to visit for locals and visitors at anytime of the year.

Whether is water or wind sports, big boats or small...

...boating, swimming, fishing, walking or strolling hand in hand along the boardwalk. Perhaps it's family picnics, BBQs or fish 'n chips at the tables or just watching the world come and go...

or maybe just sitting on the grassy bank with a loved one (or by yourself) watching the sun set...

....the small sheltered bay provides something for everyone.

From our campsite at the Mount Holiday Park we could also watch some of the comings and goings,  though it did depend on who camped between us and the view and how long they stayed. 

This couple had it worked out; they set up in the front corner campsite and had a prime view of Pilot Bay for the duration of their stay. I thought they must have been in such a hurry to relax that they forgot to put their awning up fully but someone suggested it may have been too small for the caravan. 

I also wondered how they fared when the 5am exercise buddy group went all out doing lunges, stretches and tossing around a weighted tyre while holding onto the fence and constantly shouting encouragement at each other. 

I went for frequent short walks along Pilot Bay's boardwalk with my camera...

...and sat beside the boat ramp, in the perfectly positioned bench seat, overlooking dozens of jetskies and boats as they left from and arrived back at the ramp.

When sleep eluded me, and while the camp silently slept and the streets were deserted...

... I walked up the 4WD track behind us to a small open plateau where the view over Pilot Bay, across to the lights of Tauranga Port, was spectacular.

Here, at 3am and with not another soul in sight I wiled away the hours as I trialed various camera settings and techniques. 

And then as the sun rose...

I captured the earlybirds; outrigger canoists practicing on Pilot Bay's calm waters...

...and fishermen leaving for their favourite spots out in the Bay of Plenty.

I did have some company one morning; these local residents were reluctant to move from their warm overnight grassy spots- obviously a popular night camp going by the poop I had to dodge. I wonder what they think as they watch the world wake up and the silence broken by the faint buzz of boats as they speed towards the harbour entrance.

Below me a fisherman tries his luck from the rocks near the Base Track as the sun rises on another blue sky day in the Bay (taken at 5:20am).

On this day and after the sun has risen, I headed down to the Base Track just as paddleboarder silently glided past. He's heading in the same direction as I, I bet he's off to see the same thing too. One of the season's many cruise ships coming through the entrance. 

You may have noticed the cruise ships in some of the photos. The next blog will be dedicated to my new 'train-spotting' ways- I captured every cruise ship that arrived while we were at the Mount. I also shot them as they left. And I have no idea why. I suppose just because I could.

Now here's a hot tip (literally) from an ex-local. Can you see your own secret (until someone spots you) spa pool in this photo? There's a slight movement on the surface water just above and to the right of those exposed rocks.

Now at low tide you can you see it. This is the cheapskates version of the Mount Hot Pools; the warm salt water from the pools is discharged through this outlet daily. Locals have built two small rock pools around the outlet...

...and children swim and adults soak in the pool at high tide and others soak their feet in it at low tide- it's the perfect spot to warm up after a swim in the cold sea water. That dash of light material that looks like something has spilt is actually crushed white shells.

Many find Pilot Bay too busy or too touristy but I have always enjoy visiting (even when we lived here). I love soaking up the year round holiday atmosphere from this jewel in the Bay of Plenty crown. It's also the perfect place to watch the sun go down on another stunning day in the Bay.