Fossil Bivalves in a Stream (Karakariki Falls)
During a walk near a stream in the Karakariki Scenic Reserve (west of Hamilton, north of Mount Pirongia), some friends and myself found some fossilised bivalve molluscs (shellfish) of some kind (not sure exactly what).
Ceolskog is the solo folk metal project of Adam Helliwell from Hamilton, New Zealand, and is also the name given to his nature-themed YouTube channel. Ceol is an Irish word meaning music, and skog means forest in Norwegian and Swedish. No, I don't have a Patreon. But if you're a regular viewer, and you want to support me in some way (as well as getting something in return), then buy my music from here, the Ceolskog Bandcamp page:
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#Fossils
Kauri Loop Track, Hakarimata Range
My sister and I went for another hike in the Hakarimata Scenic Reserve. This time went went around the Kauri Loop track, which includes the Kauri Grove. It was cool and humid, a sometimes wet and sometimes sunny day in May (late autumn in the southern hemisphere), perfect conditions for hiking (although I do prefer it to be colder, and also less cloudy so we get a better view). Came across a little bit of fungus (but not much), and also a little yappy dog (right at the end of the video).
Ceolskog is the solo folk metal project of Adam Helliwell from Hamilton, New Zealand, and is also the name given to his nature-themed YouTube channel. Ceol is an Irish word meaning music, and skog means forest in Norwegian and Swedish. No, I don't have a Patreon. But if you're a regular viewer, and you want to support me in some way (as well as getting something in return), then buy my music from here, the Ceolskog Bandcamp page:
Other links:
Ceolskog on Facebook:
Ceolskog on iTunes:
Ceolskog Spotify Playlist:
Ceolskog on Twitter:
Ceolskog on Soundcloud:
Vardon School Karakariki Camp 2015
Room 14 and 15 at Karakariki Christian Camp
Rally Drive NZ hotlap - Maramarua Forest
My mum was given a hot lap ride for her birthday.
The awesome people at Rally Drive NZ allowed me to put my GoPro in car to capture the moment.
The driver, Michael, is a German and had never driven around the forest track before.
Kawhia Hot water beach, Te Puia Springs
New Zealand has a lot of hot springs, and some of them are right on the beach. In Kawhia hot water comes up through the sand and people dig hot pools to sit in. The springs are also known as Te Puia hot springs. Kawhia is a hidden treasure and much less busy than the better known Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel. In this video River and Noah run/fall down the sand dunes, dig and play in hot water pools, and swim in the ocean.
Kawhia is 1 hour 15 drive from Hamilton, and well worth the visit. Check out the tides before you go as the pools can only be dug around low tide.
How to Register for KCC Holiday Camps | Website Tutorial
This video will help you to register your child for Karakariki Christian Camp's holiday camps. Register now by clicking the following link
Let the Kids Play in Mud, Dirt is not Dirty, Science Agrees!
Connecting with nature is good for kids' physical and mental health. Science agrees with us that kids need to play in mud!
We promote Nature Play on our YouTube channel:
Here is some of the supporting research:
Biome Depletion Theory, the idea is that our children’s immune systems don’t develop properly because they are lacking gut and skin flora, and this has led to epidemics of immune-related diseases: 40% of the population suffer from allergies; 8% of people suffer from issues with autoimmunity; 6% have their appendix removed.
Austrian children living on farms have less hay fever, asthma and allergic sensitization.
Amish children who live on farms have about a 50% reduction in asthma, allergies, and gut-related disorders compared to children who grow up in more sterile environments.
Sun exposure is linked to a decrease in cardio-vascular disease - heart disease - and other conditions such as obesity. Avoidance of sun exposure as a risk factor for major causes of death: a competing risk analysis of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort.
Avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for all-cause mortality: results from the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort.
Sunlight exposure is related to lower blood pressure: and improves cardiovascular health even in ways unrelated to vitamin D
Increased exposure to sunlight may reduce the risk of both food allergies and eczema in children.
Human cancer patients treated with a certain bacteria found in soil reported significant increases in their quality of life.
The same bacteria activated groups of neurons in mouse brains responsible for producing serotonin.
Early exposure to bacteria makes fruit flies live longer, suggesting that overuse of antibiotics could harm well-being and longevity in animals and perhaps even in humans.
Injections of soil bacteria produce serotonin—and happiness—in mice.
Soil bacteria work in similar way to antidepressants.
Kids go wild in a muddy swamp and have a mud fight!
Nature Play Kids River and Noah find some serious mud and get stuck in. Jumping in muddy puddles is great fun, at first they try to keep their hands and clothes clean but end up covered in mud from head to foot. River tuns into a swamp monster and the kids have a mud fight. Getting mud in your eye is not fun, but the kids are very brave about it.