In my post River Dreaming, https://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/river-dreaming/ I wrote about my dream to walk and/or explore all the rivers in Christchurch, from source to sea. For me, that is a big dream but I have made a start and some progress.
The river which I have explored the most extensively, so far, is the Styx River. The river is on the northern edge of Christchurch and is 24.8 kilometres long. Over the years, I have walked a great many of the pathways that follow the Styx, and I am longing for other areas to be opened to the public so I can connect the dots on my river walking project.
On Sunday we visited the Janet Stewart Reserve which is part of the Styx River system. After our time there, we followed the river to its outlet at Brooklands Lagoon. We went by car. It was not my first time to drive beside this lower portion of the river but it was my first visit since the major earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. I couldn’t tell if, or how much, the river had changed, but the road was certainly uneven and many houses and properties in the area seemed derelict or abandoned. I also noticed that there are lots of areas of the river which I would like to explore on foot or, perhaps, by canoe, if someone will provide one and help me paddle!
Here are some photos of the beautiful Styx River as it heads to the sea. The red machine you can see on the river looks as though it is used for clearing weeds.
There were lots of ducks on the river but most of them managed to escape my camera. At the bend in the river I could see cows resting in a paddock. It was a pretty sight.
Last of the pics of the Styx.
If you would like to read more about the Styx River, click on the following link http://www.thestyx.co.nz/new-zealand/main/ Our city has a wonderful vision for the river and its catchment area.
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Beautiful area.
It is indeed.
Lovely shots of the waterways. I hope you get your canoe
If I ever do, you can come too!
Thanks 🙂
My dear friend, I was thinking about Rivers today when I was reading some of Langston Hughes poetry. Here is his poem on rivers.
I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
Thank you for sharing Langston’s poem. He knows rivers as you most likely do too. I have looked upon the Nile and lost my soul in its ancient depths.
Thanks Clanmother for that lovely poem
What lovely photos- I felt like I took a little walk there myself, which was especially welcome as I have been facing grey skies and grey snow for a few days. Thank you!
I am glad you came along. We have had such an amazing summer this year. I don’t want it to end.
So gorgeous. What a lovely scene you set!
Thank you. It’s little and gentle compared to the Andes but very pretty in its own way 🙂
That is a beautiful river. It must be a fun place for a canoe or kayak.
I agree. I only saw one kayak on the river that day. Perhaps there were more people earlier in the day before the sun became too hot.
I’d love to join you on that canoe trip…it is so beautiful!
Wouldn’t that be fun!
I like the first photo but all of them are very good shots. There are so many nice places in your country that very different with mine here.
Thank you. I like how we find beautiful places in both our countries 🙂
Beautiful photos! I would LOVE a go on the red machine! It looks like great fun! =^.^=