On the Conservation Side of Things

Project Rameka - May 24, 2009October 1, 2015

Monday 11 May 2009

A close inspection of the plant growth on the project over the last year shows some very promising results.

Matt Shoult is going great “guns” at keeping the pests under control, and it shows. All the northern rata provided by DoC last winter are thriving, and after an unintended and heartwrenching haircutting blitx by some roving sheep all the plants around the Lorax Lair are making a huge recovery. Maybe they like having a bit of a prune.

Not to be outdone by Matt’s efforts, the last visit to the Lorax Lair by Jonathan and Bronnie saw 13 mice succumb to the dark side in one week. We’re contemplating a stuffed animal-head collection for the trophy wall in the Lair. Alternatively, we’ve been pondering the possibility of stitching the skins together to make a really nice mat for the floor. Any thoughts or taxidermists out there?

Great Expectations!

Project Rameka - May 10, 2009October 1, 2015

Things are moving along at the project. Over 200 metres of track have now been completed on the Great Expectations track, and another 200 metres have been marked out through thick scrub.

This track is going to be awesome. It will ultimately provide a truly mellow route from the top of the project down to the valley, weaving its way through a large section of the property and providing not only hours of fun for bikers and walkers but also fun for pest controllers too!

Rumor has it that some hardy souls have already plugged their way through to the bottom of the valley after riding to the end of Great Expectations and … discovering a dead end. What! What to do? … What to do? Lug the bikes back up or continue the downward plunge with great expectations. Well done to the intrepid explorers. Someone has to be the first, eh? Your exploits, if not your names, will be remembered with awe for a long time.

Heartfelt thanks go out to all who have taken part in Project Rameka efforts to date; all those in the photographs and those behind the scenes who have added so much to the developments. You know when we’re meaning you!

At the work party on Sunday 10 May were: Martin and Marie Langley, Ricky and Patrick Ward, Megan and Ralphie, Seamus, Nicky, Josh and Danny Ryan, Brent and James, Fill and Albie Burgers (supplying amazing soup once again – your soup is becoming legendary, you two!!), John, Brian, Corigan, Beth and Phil, and Matt Shoult.

The Ryan family came out in force and whipped that track into shape with their own formidable style. You rock guys!

A hardy team comprising: Megan, Ralphie, Brian and Corigen took advice from Ricky to subdue a curly switchback.

New committee member Patrick Ward passed his initiation test of bashing through 100 metres of thick scrub with a smile on his dial.

A Conservation Vacation in March

Project Rameka - Apr 29, 2009October 1, 2015

Early March 2009

The week’s work began early with a track work party on the main track – Great Expectations – on Sunday. Well over 20 people from Wellington, Nelson and Golden Bay showed up and built 300 metres of beautiful flowing single track.

Big thanks to Seamus and Josh, Martin and Marie, Alistair, Cain and Dylan, Simon, Sarah and Miro, Jo, Andrew, Jake and Morag, Simon Johnson, Jonathan, Dean and Dylan, Murray and Ginny, Will Harris, Bruce, Steve and Julie Thompson, Melanie Millar, Ricky and Patrick and Theron Burgess. Some people helped out for a couple of hours, others hung in there all day.

After the work party several people rode the track and thought it was very sweet indeed.

During the rest of the week there were all sorts of things done. Murray and Ginny from Wellington stayed for a few days and weeded almost all the trees that were planted last year, and topped a pine tree that threatened to hit the Lorax Lair if it fell over.

Jonathan and Simon from Wellington, stayed all week and while Jonathan concentrated on building a couple of box seats/bunks in the hut, Simon dealt to a lot of barberry.

Jo and Andrew had been staying with their kids earlier in the month and finished building all the box tunnels for the traps. Since then 3 stoats and several rats have been caught. Here is some proof, if any more was needed, that rats like eating birds eggs.

Several other small tasks were completed by various people, and to be honest I can’t remember all of them, but plant guards were constructed, more track designed, and the Project Rameka committee met and agreed to do a number of new things, that will no doubt feature on this blog in the near future.

Riding to Work

Project Rameka - Apr 29, 2009September 26, 2015

Wed 18th 2009

It’s one of his longer commutes to work. On Wednesday morning Jonathan caught the 3am ferry to Picton and cycled to the 5:30pm work party at Project Rameka. He was five minutes late, and according to Martin “Pretty useless” once he got there.

Jonathan rode via the Maungatapu Track (to avoid traffic), Mapua (to visit a friend for afternoon tea), and of course – the icing on the cake – the Rameka Track.

To Be Done

Project Rameka - Nov 3, 2008September 26, 2015

Saturday 1 November 2008
Due to popular demand, here is the “wish list” of Project Rameka’s preferred Christmas prezzies for 2008.

Things we could do with:
1. An 8-pint billy for cooking over the fire
2. Guttering and spouting for the Lorax Lair (two lengths of guttering, 4 metres long)
3. A large water tank to collect rain water (400 to 1000 litres would be good)
4. A water filter of some sort
5. Jet prickers for the old Optimus 00 stove (last seen in the Bay in the 1980s)
6. Wooden stakes for plants (25 by 25mm up to 50 by 50mm)
7. Wire netting to use for plant protection
8. Larger water tank for the pipeline supply (200 to 1000 litres)

Funds towards:
1. Spraying weeds on side of Rameka Road (approx $300)
2. First Aid Kit ($150)
3. 18 Stoat Traps ($90)

If you can help with any of the above, please contact Project Rameka. You can email us at projectrameka [at] kennett.co.nz

Or you can write to:
Project Rameka Incorporated Society
Secretary, Marie Langley
Parapara Beach, RD2 Takaka
GOLDEN BAY

Donations can also be delivered to The Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop in Takaka.

Thanks for your support.