Cycle Trail Recount

 Wilderness Trail

On Tuesday September 22, my classroom went on a bike trip from Milltown to Kapitea Reservoir. I was woken up by some loud purring from my cat. I got up feeling excited. I got dressed and headed downstairs. Mum made me grilled cheese on toast. I ate that and brushed my teeth. I packed my bags the night before, except for my lunch which mum packed while I was eating. I put on the bag, said goodbye to my parents and my brother. Then I headed downstairs. I had left my bike at school, so I didn’t have too drag it down the street/stairs to get to school.

I had to get my bike out of the classroom and onto the court. Ms Kemp told us to come back inside so she could sort out car groups. I was in a group with Indi. We then got into the van and drove to the Hokitika turnoff. I think we drove past Lake Kaniere and we eventually got to Milltown. We then unloaded our bikes and started the trail. It was very hard for my bike and it required a lot of effort to push myself up the hill. My bike is not suited for the hills like a mountain bike but I managed to get to the top and I celebrated by drinking some water. The weather conditions were strange. It drizzled a lot during the trip, and after some time it stopped drizzling and then it would start again. 

I hated the uphill after the swingbridge. I had to pedal so hard that I felt my legs would snap off at the knees.  It didn’t help that a tandem with an annoying horn was following all of us girls.The horn was honking over and over again. It drove me insane. Bille shouted at the tandem, “ DO YOU MIND?!?! I AM TRYING TO CONCENTRATE!” but the horn kept honking. 

We then made it to Cowboy’s Paradise. Everyone was telling anyone who’d just arrived not to skid. From what I heard, somebody skidded on the track and some man came out and threatened them. We sounded off and then continued to Kawhaka Dam.

We reached a stop point and I was happy because I could eat. I started by eating my hotdog and then some walnuts. Lily handed out some pineapple lumps which made me very very happy. 

Ms Kemp showed up and said we were going to reach the fords very soon. I was happy about going through the ford. There was a huge downhill which was so fun. I nearly fell off my bike because I slammed on the brakes and turned too sharply on a corner. We then made it to Cowboy’s Paradise. Everyone was telling anyone who’d just arrived not to skid. From what I heard, somebody skidded on the track and some man came out and threatened them. We sounded off and then continued to Kawhaka Dam. 

At Kawhaka dam, we had the choice whether to pull out or not. I kept biking to the cattle bridge. Ms Kemp suggested I retire my bike. I thought I wanted to keep going so I said no. I continued riding with the class and soon wished I had pulled out. But I kept going because Olive had pulled out and I wanted to keep going where she couldn’t. My legs were aching and soon I was left behind. I made it to the end and I was so proud of myself. 

I had a lot of support along the way. The people who found this easier showed great leadership skills by supporting those who were not equipped for the challenge ( in strength ). That just left the ride back too school. I nearly fell asleep in the van.

When we got back to school, everyone was pouring out of the classrooms and going home. I grabbed my brother and made him help take my bike home.

Balloon Bottle Car Racing

Lavonia The Failed Balloon Bottle Car

               2020-2020 

                   Rest in peace 

This is the bottle car prototype. She was going to
look better but we had  no time to accessorize and
this is why she looks like a piece of  recycling.

Things that went well: We got a bottle, and
managed to prepare something in the limited time
frame we had. She participated in the two races.

Things that didn’t go well: Laviona’s wheels
didn’t move. She moved three inches away from
the ramp where we let her go. Gravity pulled her
down the ramp and air resistance forced her to
stop. The force of the air resistance combined
with the  non working wheels and stopped her
three inches from the ramp. Her balloon failed to
push her even a millimetre. The wheels were not
aligned and were working against each other. 

My Glow Worm Information Report

We have been learning about minibeasts in class as part of science. We have been creating information reports on  a minibeast of our choice. The minibeast we chose had to live  in NZ. Here is my writing

Awesome Glow Worms 

What Are Glow Worms?

Glow worms are native to NZ. They are the larvae of the fungus gnat ( a type of fly ). They are mainly carnivores but they will eat leaves if necessary. Glow worms are nocturnal and are insects. Their DOC status is not threatened. They are also known as the Titiwai  and the Pūrātoke. A glow worm tail has a special organ that is the equivalent of a human kidney. It uses the glow to burn off waste. It’s tail glows because of bioluminescence which is a chemical reaction between the glow worm and the oxygen in the air. Bioluminescence is an insects natural light source to attract food or a mate.

Where do Titiwai live?

Pūrātoke live in many different places but they all are damp or dark  making them humid. Glow worms may be found on moist banks and dangling from ravines. Sometimes  they are found in abandoned mining tunnels and caves. Some of the many places they live are always humid.

What do Glow Worms Eat?

Glow worms have a basic diet in the insect kingdom. Glow worms have a meat based diet but they will eat leaves and dead wood. Slugs and snails often fall prey to Titiwai and so do other small invertebrates. Even other insects are a part of their diet! They use their glowing lights to attract prey into their sticky threads. Once the insects are stuck the Titiwai can eat them.

How do Pūrātoke reproduce?

Pūrātoke have a very strange life cycle. The adult fly only lives for three days but  in that time the fly lays its eggs. The eggs hatch in three weeks. Young larvae are three millimeters long when they hatch. Over six to nine months they grow steadily until they are three to four centimeters. When they become pupa they hang upside down on a string for two weeks.

What are their threats?

Arachnids are big threats because they eat glow worms. There is also a bit of cannibalism in territorial disputes between glow worm. One of their main threats is habitat loss and the pollution of streams because glow worms require clean water. We as humans need to look after their habitats and clean up our waterways.

Photos of the Pūrātoke!