Fresh fields and pastures new

It's been six years since Shayde, Georgia and I had our mystical adventure tracking the creek which runs through the farm, up through our neighbours farm, up towards its source in the forest.   Now that farm is part of this farm and I am free to wander there again. Pastures new for the cows - and me.

Yesterday was such a lovely, bright sunny day I decided I couldn't wait for someone to visit who might want to accompany me and set out on my own.  I can't think of anything better than strolling in the sunshine beside a creek, listening to the babble as the water rushes over rocks.  I remembered the place where the girls announced there was magic but luckily I didn't need anything more than my gumboots and a walking stick to help me keep my balance as I crossed. 

From this point on I needed to cross the stream a number of times as I picked my way, deciding which side was the easiest bank to walk along.  In some places a bank is steep, in others the thick bush grows right down to the water.

I found a tiny waterfall in under a bank of thick vegetation, where another little stream leads into this one.  I was alerted to it by the sound of falling water or I wouldn't have known it was there.

My photos aren't very good.  I set out without looking at the clock.  It was the middle of the day (and I was feeling more than a little peckish by the time I got back home).

Finally I came to where the fairies live.  For a minute I thought I saw a little girl playing there, too.  But the little girl has grown now and no longer lives in the magical world of a six year old. 

This is as far as we went last time we came up here.  And as far as I could go this time, too.  I couldn't find a track on either side to follow.  I will come back in summer with suitable footwear and wade the rest of the way.

I want to see what lays ahead. 

I left the creek and followed a track through a paddock until I came to the boundary fence with the forest.  I will think of that paddock as the place of the pheasants.  I first one I disturbed took flight from under my feet practically.  I got such a fright, I dropped my walking stick.  I've never seen so many of them in one place before!

The tower on the mountain is a lot closer up here.

And there are the cows enjoying their new pasture.  I'll have to go up the other side of the creek to get to there.