We are rather fortunate that when we feel the need to get out into nature, we have some pretty good stuff right on our doorstep - Totara Reserve, the Manawatu's last substantial remnant of lowland forest. Today my 9-year old son and I set out to do the Fern Walk, named for the plethora of native ferns found in abundance on the forest floor. Forest giants such as kahikatea, northern rata and ... I always get my matai/miro etc mixed up ... can be found too. (Sadly, not so many