Lake Tomorata
The long, sweeping white sand beaches of the east coast. The surrounding area has three lakes nestled amongst the rolling hillls and farmland and Lake Tomorata is the only one for swimming and boating. With a toilet block and picnic tables, there are also sandy coves to access the water down one side of the lake.
I decided to spend the night here after buying a foam mattress from a second hand place outside of Wellsford. It seems like a good excuse to take a break and unwind, it is a very serene place to stay and get back to nature, leaving all the noise of the daily grind behind.
I decided to spend the night here after buying a foam mattress from a second hand place outside of Wellsford. It seems like a good excuse to take a break and unwind, it is a very serene place to stay and get back to nature, leaving all the noise of the daily grind behind.
...
The water is deep, falling away steeply from the bank or beach. There is a safe, shallow beach fenced off by timber railings for the kids, but I seek the darker, deeper water. The tannins have stained the water a dark brown and whilst many people would think this makes the water look dirty, it's not the case. Crisp clean water, I find it hard to stay out. Now is the turn of autumn, it's March here in the southern hemisphere, but more relatively it's only a few weeks after the autumnal equinox. This means that there is still plenty of sun around, but a cool sou'wester will have you looking for spots in lee. The water is cool enough that you couldn't stay in all day, the dips are brief and invigorating. There is a quality of this water, I don't know where it comes from (I can't see any feeding rivers, maybe a spring) there just feels something good about the water, it makes you smile to be surrounded by its cool embrace.
As I had arrived in the late afternoon, the sun was already lowering towards the horizon. The lake and surroundings had a feel of preparing for the night, the birds sing their evening songs and look for supper. I make my preparations too, a simple dinner, put things away and setup the bed. I sleep in the back of the car for short overnighters. With the mattress stuffed in the back it makes it a little bit more comfortable, if no less cramped. As for the campfire, er, I found that. Yes, yes, it was made on sand and rocks, with water nearby and the surrounding grass damp from recent rain so I left it. The fire provides me with company and keeps the chill of the night away.
The colours of the sky change and nature's palette begins to paint. The golden hour. The very texture of the light changes as it falls upon the land. This is what all landscape photographers are looking for, I break out my gear. After some work the night revealed to me this pano.
The colours of the sky change and nature's palette begins to paint. The golden hour. The very texture of the light changes as it falls upon the land. This is what all landscape photographers are looking for, I break out my gear. After some work the night revealed to me this pano.
I put away the camera gear, wanting to settle for the night. I sit by the fire and like a caveman, I stare into the flames, looking for my own soul. This space is so quiet, I can hear the distant surf breaking on the shoreline. I find these times to be very useful, I meditate and reflect upon myself. Prepare for the future. What will be will come from thoughts now. The sky gives way to night and the stars come out. The clouds clear away and I am rewarded with a stunning view of the galactic bulge arching its way over the lake, above my head and beyond. I was unable to capture this in camera, space for improvement but that view, I will try again. I lay on the ground, a mere passenger on this astronomical sphere, feeling the currents of the universe.
The morning greets me and I drag my carcass out of the car, down towards the water's edge and jump in. The lake is completely still, a mirror to the sky, as the clouds becomes lit by the rising sun. The whole landscape is bathed in this light, the round hay bales on the hill, the dry, green pastures and the macrocarpa trees. There is dew on the ground as I put the kettle on and I sit on a towel to watch. I hear the chooks scratching around for breakfast, they keep an ear out for me, not to be wary, but just in case I might have some food to share. Tea in an enamel mug in the outdoors always taste better for some reason and it goes down well.
I lay out the yoga mat and sit down. Slowly I let go and become a part of the scene, feeling the energy flow; I go through my stretches. The quiet surroundings and the beauty of the place is a fantastic spot to be doing this kind of activity. It is a quiet place, away from the busy life, the thoughts of the mind fade, problems become solvable, then dissolve into the background.
I lay out the yoga mat and sit down. Slowly I let go and become a part of the scene, feeling the energy flow; I go through my stretches. The quiet surroundings and the beauty of the place is a fantastic spot to be doing this kind of activity. It is a quiet place, away from the busy life, the thoughts of the mind fade, problems become solvable, then dissolve into the background.
The sun hits the land creating mist on the far hills, once again the camera is at the ready. I play with the composition and I can't help but think 'what would Ansell do?' I snapped off the two shots below.
The lake is a fantastic place to go and unwind. Not too far out of the way and traveling north from Auckland there are plenty of places to stop on the way.
-- Mattress was bought from Wellsford Second Hand Traders. On the main road just north of Wellsford, past Te Hana. Ph 09 423 7007 --