The track behind our land links Tunnel Gully with the Rimutaka Rail Trail.  It’s a popular route for walkers and cyclists.  It is of course one of our regular dog walking tracks with a great route that loops over a stream and back giving the sense of a circular walk when in fact it’s not.

We found out today how much storm damage has been inflicted here.  At first it looked fine, a bit of debris and small trees blown down.  As we reached the loop point it was clear that all was not well.  In fact, it’s far from OK. 

Imagine our disappointment to find a tree had fallen across our path.  But worse than that, it had destroyed the bridge over the stream.  From a walking point of view we can still access the route on the main trail but the walk over the stream was always a fun point for the bassets to peer over to the stream.

I’m sure that the Council will come and repair the damage before long.  In the meantime here’s some photo-blogging of our storm viewing adventures today.

The loop path – this doesn’t look good

Hmm, definitely not good!

Close up inspection needed on the damage to the bridge

Yup, it’s definitely broke!

Little basset in licking lips in disgust.

Big basset being brave and looking for alternative route

It wasn’t just the bridge that suffered, this tree copped it as well

Part of the offending tree.

I told you it’s never good when your roots are showing!  The mammoth tree that caused all the main damage.

There is some benefit from fallen trees – basset camouflage.  Mason being shy again!

Well just hungry I guess!

At last – a handsome basset pose from our camera shy little basset.

Here’s the boys looking indignant at their blocked path.

Still, the view down to Tunnel Gully from the trail never fails to impress.