Gateway to Freedom (Hawkes Bay) Traditional Cache
TheCoddiwompler: I am archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in a prior reviewer note.
Gateway to Freedom (Hawkes Bay)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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I spent my childhood living near this reserve. I have memories of climbing a farm fence at Trigg Crescent and following the sheep tracks up into the hills. It gave us ‘townies’ a sense of adventure. I saw my first lamb being born here. I also thought that if I ran away from home I would pack a bag and run away up into these hills and camp out! What the farmer would have thought of that, never concerned me. As a child, these hills meant freedom.
Now, the reserve has been developed into an attractive park with deciduous trees. They are beautiful in autumn. Tracks criss-cross the ‘farm park’ reminding me of the Wither Hills walkways in Blenheim. The upper grass slopes are managed by grazing sheep. There are approximately 10 km of track both on the flat and climbing to the hilltop over open slopes and through gullies of native plantings. Walk quietly and you are likely to hear native birds. A walk up to the top is not compulsory, but the views are spectacular. You can see all the way out to Mahia, Napier Hill, Marine Parade and Cape Kidnappers. The most direct path is called the Kauri track and would take about half an hour. If you go, take your camera. I had to climb it (straight up, a 10 yr. olds suggestion) a second time because it blew me away and I had not taken a photo. BYO Pen
HISTORY: This Taradale reserve is named after Philip and Richard Dolbel, who emigrated to New Zealand from Jersey in 1855. The brothers ran a general store in Clive and had interests in a diary company, lime works and brick works. They bought Springfield Station (in Springfield Road) in 1865 and later Redclyffe Station and farmed both in partnership. The land they owned included the present Dolbel Reserve.
Personal note: Thank you so much to the Dolbel Family for donating this land and those developing it.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvf vf trbpnpuvat va n irel svar fglyr!
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