Sheep on Meadowbank Station

We had a busy day. I called in to the Farmers’ Market which is being held in the A&P Showgrounds every Sunday morning. A great place for buying fresh produce and to catch up with friends.
Then it was off for a dog walk. I drove to the Taylor Dam and walked up and over the top and down the track to the bottom of the earth wall of the dam. The track follows along to the western end and is fringed on the northern side with big eucalyptus trees and poplars known as Cottonwood trees. They are shedding their seeds amidst clouds of creamy-white fluff. It is lying like snow on the ground. I have seen tiny birds’ nests lined with this fluff….looking very warm and cosy. Meadowbank Station is all around us and the sheep on one of the terraces through the boundary fence were grazing peacefully.
I then climbed to the top of the dam and returned along the track back to the eastern end. From up there I could see lots and lots of people in small groups on the farm tracks on Meadowbank Station and all around the Taylor Dam area and lake. There were lots of children with their parents. There was a very big Orienteering day underway with over 100 teams entered. The day was organised by various organisations such as the Council, Orienteering Club, Kiwi Conservation Club, Sport Tasman and the Department of Conservation. Meadowbank Station had very kindly allowed their property to be used for the day. I chatted to some of the participants... Everyone was having a wonderful time in the fresh air, getting exercise and learning about our environment. I reckon I will organise a team and participate next time there is such an exercise.