Memory Lane: Jan-Jun 2005 上半年之遠足記事

Last updated: 21/11/05 　　　

Four Successive Pools, Castle Peak 青山四疊潭　High Island 糧船灣洲　Ho Hok to Tai Lam 蠔殼至大欖　Hung Shek Mun 紅石門　Hadden Hill+Kwai Kok 麒麟圭角　Ling To Shan+Yuen Tau/Kon Shan 靈渡山+圓頭乾山　Mid-Kau-Nga 中狗牙　 Nam San Wai 南生圍　Pak Ma Tsui+Trio Beach 白馬咀+三星灣　Po Toi Island 蒲台島　Razor Hill+Shek Nga Shan 鷓鴣石芽　Sam A & Wang Leng 三椏橫嶺　Tiu Shau Ngam 馬鞍吊手岩　Tsang Pang Kok ... Po Pin 罾棚角破邊　Upper Sheung Luk 雙鹿上游　Wang Leng+Sam A 橫嶺三椏　Yuen Tau/Kon Shan+Ling To Shan 圓頭乾山+靈渡山

Yuen Tau/Kon Shan+Ling To Shan　圓頭乾山+靈渡山　　19/6/05 於西鐵站出發沿屏廈路走至田廈路廈村市，那裡是處還保留著舊日色彩的村落。新屋村與舊李屋村之間有條車路，前行不久左方有條更小的車路，兩旁有著圍板或鐵網，也有惡狗守門。圍板那邊是貨櫃場，另一邊是村舍，然後西部通道的高架路下出現了指示，引領路人往靈渡寺。那是一所翻新過的寺廟，寺旁有大片空地，到處都很潔淨。拜別該寺，轉而從鐵絲網旁的不明顯小徑登山至一"箭頭柱"前。繼續前行的話即沿山坡抵圓頭山頂附近。雖較辛苦，但我們則從柱旁直上山脊的電塔下[如從同一條徑下山便太陡滑了]。自電塔開始至良田坳，兩邊風景都目不暇給。西面有建築中的大橋通往內地，當中隔著泥黃的后海灣；東面則是元朗及屯門的市鎮與及背景的大欖。由於浮沙碎石不絕，加上風勢強烈[BF4-5]，我曾數次被吹至站不穩。很多時都是吹東至東南風，吹向貼近山谷的那一面，令人更膽戰心驚，步步為營。將登圓頭山時，有一安裝了鐵鍊的泥徑，幸好我們是往上走，因它上段最是直峭。有次以一塊看上去像泥石柱的東西借力，卻在我上引時，用力一扳之下粉碎， 自此事後更增我心裡的顧忌。 途中有處兩面都已塌下了的深溝，獨餘僅容一人通過的"土橋"，疾風下惟有耐心待風勢稍息時盡快過去。其實也可選從左下方崖腳繞過去的，只是要多走一點了。過了扇岩[一塊有些像扇貝的岩石]不久便是乾山山頂，橫跨東西的車路及稔灣堆填區清晰可見。自良田坳下走那條已毀爛不堪的舊車路，前往臥龍潭浸水。由於多天的大雨，不單那車路成了小溪，潭水也上升了不少，看那岸邊舊水位應曾再高一呎，稍為有點落差的地方水勢更急。臨走前有兩架越野電單車經過...岸邊的生銹車架不知是否這類車的。離開臥龍潭時遇見兩孩子在訴說找不到蝌蚪云云...唉！都給大家捉去了，那來青蛙吃掉蚊子呢？一整天也沒怎麼見過陽光，可是太陽油仍保護不了我，晒了個紅鼻子！大抵是只在起步時搽過一次罷，我怕下水前才塗會污染澗水，更會被下游煮食的人唾罵嘛。

Po Toi Island　蒲台島　10/6/05 今次其實是因有半天的遊船河而到蒲台的。下午從深灣出發，經海洋公園的大樹灣後門離開香港仔海峽。那兒沿岸有數處大海蝕隙，而深水角附近有一條上段是水渠小澗直流下海中。回望鴨月利排，想著那次大風浪[BF6]中，單是由深水角迎著頂頭風，划獨木舟到該排已用了大半小時，真是又累又刺激！遊艇先在南乙水停泊了一回，讓大家下水玩玩，才駛往碼頭讓大伙登岸。下水一陣子便心急上岸玩，剛上水不久便有不少垃圾漂到，當中包括一隻波鞋及用過的XX巾，後者令人反胃。由於時間所限，大伙只是匆匆到過僧人石及靈龜上岸。而我則到了南角咀，但沒出淘金崖。才與友人會合到佛手崖，其他人因不慣上下山，多已一早下山走回頭了。僧人石跟真人差不多高是兩塊疊在一起的石柱，上小下高長，沒有想像中的僧帽。靈龜上岸要在遠處看才最像似，我覺得在燈塔回望也不錯。南角咀沒有路徑，要在岩石上走。如在叉路右轉上山腰路，便可迎面遇上佛手崖。那是塊有著橫直裂紋的巨岩，像隻瘦骨嶙峋的手掌。今天的煙霞算是不太大，可糢糊地看到南方天際的國內土地。

Pak Ma Tsui+Trio Beach 白馬咀+三星灣　5/6/05 The thunderstorm forecast was not so favourable for a hike at Tuen Mun, thus we decided to go for a walk and a swim for a change. Departing from the Fire Station, we went gently uphill towards Tui Min Hoi Chuen [對面海村]. The dirt road behind the estate led us to the Tsiu Hang Special Area. Signage posts up on the ridge indicated the direction to a pavilion, from then on the beauty of Inner Port Shelter (on your left) [西貢海] and Hebe Haven [白沙灣] would draw most of your attention away. Quite a number of ripen red berries had fallen to the ground, a few irregular shaped mushrooms in yellowish brown were also found along the path. They didn't have a flat umbrella-shaped top, instead, bulging sacs formed the body which seemed to be filled with air or fluid. The end of the path led down to pieces of flat boulders lying by the shore. Retracing the path, we turned to Trio Beach at a junction. Unlike those other Sundays, the beach was not crowded at all. Perhaps that was due to the lack of sunshine to warm up the water. Yachts and dinghies sailed busily out at sea, while we're having some relaxed hours on the beach. We left by a stone-slab path along the hillside, leading to the Marina of RHKYC, with lots of luxurious villas nearby. From then on, the track became a vehicle road, Che Keng Tuk Rd [輋徑篤路], going pass the Nature Education Centre and ended at Hiram's Highway [西貢公路].

Castle Peak Firing Range [Four Successive Pools]　青山腹地〔四疊潭〕　16/5/05　photos 相簿 因有人大遲到至使損失了寶貴的大半小時。雖然先到，卻也沒心情再細找傍澗走的路了，大概是在村屋後吧！曾沿村前空地走了一趟，不見便算。改為登龍門徑經皇帝岩，差不多到測量墩便轉東下山。上次過了那兒才下山的。無論上山或下山都是粗砂的土壤，植柀比早前還少。谷底不是小澗便是長了草的濕泥，常會給濕泥濺污。天明前才下了場雷雨，不料途中除了初時有點陰晴不定外，大多數時候都是像走在正午的沙漠中。炙熱的砂反射著熾熱的陽光，即使太陽鏡加寬圓邊帽也掃不去那像是走在烤爐中的感覺。 先下大冷溪，到附近看一塊像切片方包巨石。那石的裂紋垂直的居多，裂開後沒有倒下，被旁邊較小的石托著，好端端地留在澗中。可惜我今天一直沒胃口，可能太熱吧！否則怎會不吃掉'它'？另外，奇怪的是汗也不太大，一點都不像平時。自登山後發覺極目都是鬆散的黃砂，與及燒焦枯萎的植物，十分心痛！甚至連五渡水一帶也面目全非，簡直無法辨認。從前植物是有人般高的，也有三兩支竹蘭，現在甚麼都沒有了！經雨季的土壤流失後，更難復本來面目！到底是人為還是天然災害做成？反而，山火後燒不掉的鋁罐及新被遺棄的垃圾相對明顯。 下四疊潭浸了一會，可能昨夜的大雨還未滋潤到這區，水量不多。加上一些焦黑的灰燼被沖到澗中，當人移動時便被帶起。坐了不久更遇上煙民污染空氣，迫他人食二手煙...更可能隨處丟煙蒂。最不幸是令人聯到剛見過的四野焦土，那滿目蒼痍的景像！要吸煙便不應到郊外，妨礙他人享受大自然。浸完潭之後走原路到路交，轉而登山抵非法開墾的晨運客梯田下良景路。那段登山路是第三次走了，這次要走了一段才能說服自己眼前的焦土光景是從前的翠綠山窩。登了一小段乾山便放棄，走回頭下良景。因沒胃口，一直沒正式吃多少東西，也因一開始的延誤至使時候有點不早，不想太急走山脊出天水圍，待遲些再算吧！

Tsang Pang Kok Tsui ... Po Pin Chau　罾棚角咀...破邊洲　1/5/05　sunny　photos 相簿 This time, we had a tough small group　which gave a good reason to cover both the vehicle roads of Sai Wan and Man Yee. Drizzles were with us now and then. Yet, the hottest and toughest part of the trek was the scorching sun. Not having been to Sai Wan Shan for quite some time, it's a surprise to find two newly built pavilions. Nonetheless, the bigger surprise was to come across 3 pale bikini ladies who were of fashion models' figures. Soon after the first pavilion, we left the main trail for Cheung Ngam Teng [長岩頂]. The day was too hot to go up Tai Yue Ngam Teng [睇魚岩頂], I'd rather spend more time enjoying the sea breeze at the tip of the Tsang Pang Kok promontory. A large clump of soaked and decaying sheets and mattresses were found near the Tsang Pang Kok Teng [罾棚角頂], not far from the trigo. pole. Everyone of us wondered if those were left behind by IIs ... but then why would they choose to bring those bulk items to such an unsheltered place? A large surface of weathered bare rock lied in a valley facing the solitary Conic Island [飯甑洲]. Several anglers whiled their time away on the northern part of it, as yachts and boats sped passed the strait and the ocean. A greyish band of mist at the horizon blended the sky with the sea. Columns of hexagonal rock pillars formed the coastal cliffs, somewhat like those at Po Pin Chau [破邊洲] . Leaving the promontory after lunch, we descended to Long Ke Tsai [浪茄仔]. It looked picturesque from afar. At a closer look, disappointment filled my heart to see lots of rubbish with PRC brand names being washed ashore. Why is 'she' sending us rubbish and IIs? Even the cigarette packets found at different places of this trek were of PRC brand names. Long Ke Campsite was crowded with campers. A few offenders even built make-shift BBQ stoves on the white sandy beach with large pebbles, urgh! Detouring off the road on East Dam, we went down to the coffer dam, with a quick look at some rhyolite pillars beside the road at the pond. They're twisted into wavy patterns. Reaching the end of the dam, we slithered around the high fence to join the hillpath of Fa Shan [花山]. Clambering up to the knoll off Po Pin stack, we finally came to the edge of the precipice above the strait. The fabulous scene of sheer cliffs of Po Pin stack was unforgettable. Retracing the path to the junction, we ascended a spur of Fa Shan for a level path which brought us to a pebble laden beach, it was named Seven Layers of Rock Beach [七重石灘] because of the different types of pebbles, each forming a separate layer. Within the same bay, there're two small beaches, the sandy one is called Pak Lap Tsai [白腊仔]. On the other side of the shrubbery pass was Pak Lap Village. After having the papaya sweet soup at its store, we went uphill taking the long and boring Man Yee Road in the dark. Unhired taxis passed by in both directions, hoping that we'd take them.

High Island　糧船灣洲　17/4/05 　Overcast w/sunny patches Starting at the estuary of Lung Hang [龍坑], my mind was filled with the first fascinating scene - clear water running over pebble-laden bed, reflecting a variety of green leaves. A jetty was just outside the museum, with the Po Leung Kuk campsite on the other side of the bank. After a pause at the jetty at Hei Tsz Wan [起子灣], we retraced a few metres to take the indistinct path uphill into densely vegetated areas. Crossing a dried up stream, we came across a junction from which we took the left branch to join the country trail. The Po Ku Wan [曝罟灣] Campsite came into sight within minutes. The country trail was open and good for running. Just before Chong Hing Water Sports Centre came into view, we passed by another junction branching off to Nam Fung Wan [南風灣] Campsite. Some steps leading downslope to join the west dam, where runners and crowds of day-tour visitors were found. Going down the road south of the pond, we took the indistinct path on the left. Besides being narrow and having dried up streams, the path was covered with loose and slippery stones. It became much easier than before when we're on the other side of Shum Tuk Wan [深篤灣]. Facing the south tip of Urn Island [大頭洲], a finger-like boulder [企人石] stood out remarkably from the rocky shore. One of the streams above Tam Shui Wan [淡水灣 Fresh Water Bay] had a small pool below a falls, I believed this was one of those 2 streams we saw when kayaking in rainy days. Coming out of the forest behind Tai She Wan [Big Snake Bay/大蛇灣], a ruined mansion with funitures and many other daily utensils stood before us. Paints on the walls didn't give us a feeling that its inhabitants had departed long ago. If not for the broken windows and wide opened doors, one might still think that it's occupied. A make-shift BBQ stove was left behind the benches bewteen a jetty and tall palm trees. In case you visited the place at night and saw the photo album lying opened on the tree pot, you'd probably think that the house was haunted. Pak A [北丫] was noisy with holiday-makers enjoying their seafood feasts. Newly-paved paths led us round Leung Shuen Wan, passing the primary school [still in use] and Tin Hau Temple. We left Tung A [東丫] by an uphill path through a burnt land. Pak Lap Beach [白腊灣] was somewhat like Tai Wan [大灣], with a row of tall trees behind the beach, sheltering the village from the damage of sand and wind. Taking the path behind the village, we joined Maclehose Trail #1 for a short while before ascending Fa Shan [Flower Hill/花山] for a panoramic view from its peak. Since most of the day was cloudy, we're not that interested to go down to the promotnory off Po Pin Chau [stack/破邊洲]. Hence, we descended an indistinct dried up stream. Retracing Maclehose Trail #1 to Tsak Yue Wu for the bus back home.

Nam San Wai 南生圍　16/4/05　Cloudy 在東頭村巴士站下車後往回走，過隧道朝北走去，沿錦田河畔的南生圍路一直至面向河丫的U-turn位，自那兒起對岸的風景便自有工廠。轉大彎後前行不遠，左方一大片草地出現，兩行大樹沿岸並排。路過經常在電視上出現的小渡頭，左轉入支徑到塘畔士多，內有長橋通涼亭[後記：其時仍飼有鴨子]。原路退出，續往乘橫水渡出山貝村，沿采葉庭方向出市中心。午飯後西行，經朗屏抵天水圍西南，抵濕地公園查看它是否已正式開放，結果是否定。往西轉入大廈群，參觀一下這一帶。

Kei Lung Shan...Kwai Kok Shan　麒麟山...圭角山　　25/3/05 可幸天文台預測的陣雨沒在我們那區下過。實際上，整天都是密雲有風，只有過一陣短暫陽光。這實在是走這條路線的理想天氣，可惜的是近來常見的煙霧又出現了。深圳的地王大廈在濛濃中若隱若現，這卻是煙霧的惟一好處，它把高樓大廈都隱藏了。 從古洞街市下車沿支路入村，前行一段後，可選上走往有蓋配水庫或走左路往小水塘。多年前來時四周綠油油，景緻不錯；可惜今次大片山頭燒過不久，有些地方連嫩草也還未長出。我們選了左路上山，初時要穿越大片焦土，弄得衣服也髒了。幸好我在元朗一帶玩定向時也慣了，大概是那些地方土地不太肥沃，樹木少，加上臨近清明...吧。山上支徑頗多，地圖也記不了這麼多，惟有多些觀察地形以作決定。當然，今次新人較多，普遍的速度會慢一點，給了我更多機會'與地圖保持接觸'。有時候站定看圖久一點，便給吹涼了，反而上次那麼冷上中狗，人卻因速度快而熱多了。至於跟那次四月天，在錦田圓山玩定向時的炎熱天比更是好多了。 從麒麟山回望古洞水塘的風景不差。下山坳，越水務設施及車路，續登大羅天。初登大羅天時有一小片疏落的樹林，大伙平等高線走至另一面下坳。那面接車路前的一段是全程最多樹的一小片土地，車路可通往西面的潭尾軍營及其北面的Cassino軍營。可是車路東端接回的山路卻是全程有數最多浮沙碎石的一段。登圭角山途中雖有幾段小台地，但其餘部份都是頗陟峭的。吃力的路段過後，眼前的景緻又確實值回票價。雞公嶺的山脈分支不少，且都各有氣勢。圭角山及雞公山是其中一些山頭。元朗平原上各山嶺中，最就近的有大刀屻，而遠一點的蠔殼山也可勉強看到。經一番探查，最終按情況選了最平緩及明顯的東路下山，途中仍要小心一些小泥坡及浸蝕溝。蕉徑新圍對上的一段稍密，最後經蓮塘尾抵長瀝乘小巴回上水。

Mid-Kau-Nga-Leng　中狗牙嶺　　13/3/05 Had been worrying if the weather would allow us to go .... Everything seemed not so favourable. Rain, cold wind and fog were common for days before this day. The 'leader' told me that we could keep going as long as there's nothing heavier than drizzles. Unlike last time when we ventured the West-Kau-Nga, it was overcast the whole day long. Lantau Peak was kept hidden under a layer of rolling fog. I'd been wondering if we could see anything once up there. We took the Shek Pik Country Trail till we met the junction. This junction branched off much earlier than the one to the west ridge. Unlike the west one, the first part of the middle ridge was gentle and had much more vegetation and shades. We didn't have to do any climbing until we're almost up to the Narrow Escape [一線生機] - a large gap between two crags. Only one of the crags was jagged, the one on the west was not as steep. By then, was a rarely seen clear day, the view of those Mainland islands [ 萬山群島] at the horizon was the best proofs. Right in front of us was the Shui Hau Peninsula [水口半島], Tong Fuk Miu Wan [塘褔廟灣] was on its east shore. It has a large mudflat of which I'd love to visit one day. On both sides of the middle ridge, the bottom of ravines were covered with thick vegetation. The east ridge can only be reached from the catchwater by a stream, thus making it the most unfrequented one among the three ridges of the Kau Nga Leng. The wind got higher and higher as time went by. Before long, it was as if the strong wind signal was hoisted. In such a condition, it was rather awkward to move uphill against the forceful wind. Even though the wind came from the side, I found it hard to walk with a straight back, nor to steady my stance. Still, the wind helped keeping me cool. The temperature up there should be below 5oC, nevertheless, I found it alright to have only a T-shirt over a long-sleeve one for most of the time. No hat was needed at all. It was only when the wind got too chilly, then I had to put on a thin windbreaker for a short while. A mask also helped my allergic nose from becoming runny. Yet, the breathing vapour soon blurred my glasses. So you see, summer would be as hot as hell to me. It didn't take us long to reach the Lantau Trail near the summit. No more than two hours were spent for this uphill leg, much less than expected. If not for the strong wind that had made me clung close to the King of Hades Cliff [閰王壁], I could move up even faster. By then, the fog looked as if it was running away from me. It seemed that the fog only enjoyed sticking to Lantau Peak. Soon, we're descending the Jacob's Ladder, its upper part was slippery with traces of dampness on the steps. Without having a long break, we headed for the donkey shed. The donkeys were having a good time listening to the radio. This time, it was not the western music. Instead, they had been localised and got the interest in horse-racing programs. I tried to greet Oscar who's on the nearest left, he ignored me by retreating into his shed. But when I turned to Larry who's on his opposite, Larry retreated while Oscar stuck his head out. Had they swapped places or were they thinking that I was calling them to work? We moved on downhill via a new path, it was muddy and slippery due to days of pouring rain. Before us lay the magnificient panoramic view of the airport and Tung Chung Bay, we enjoyed it for some time before descending for downtown.

Razor Hill ... Shek Nga Shan　鷓鴣山...石芽山　　20/2/05　photos 相簿 The day was chilly, overcast and had intermittent drizzles. Yet, to me, the first two conditions made it a wonderful day for hiking. Besides, the hiking group I joined met my preferences very much since they departed sharply on time, had no smokers, and have no break of more than half an hour [on a later trip with them, it was found that not all of their leaders banned smoking, what a pity!]. We started going up Yau Yu Wan [魷魚灣] Traditional Trail at Razor Hill. As one could realise form its name, the slopes of this hill was steep. Its ridge rose upwards gradually with several small peaks. Disappointingly, the haze and drizzles made it almost impossible to view the scenery properly. At the trigonometrical pole, I only had a short break for photo-taking, then we had to rush in order not to become frozen up there. The descend was somewhat slippery at certain spots, though the one done later at Shek Nga Shan [石芽山] was all the more slippery. Crossing Clear Water Bay Road, we took a lane between Pik Uk Prison and a village, bounding for Hebe Hill [尖風山]. At Lower Hebe Hill [葵拗山], a hidden path led us pass beside Hebe Knoll, then down to Nam Pin Wai [南邊圍]. This part of the leg covered mostly indistinct paths in the forest. From Nam Pin Wai onwards, we took the vehicle track to Kai Ham [界咸], passing by a golf course. The path leading uphill to the ruin of Tai No [大腦] Village was hidden behind a boarded up small construction site. The stone steps led us to the side of an almost dried up waterfall of Wong Chung [黃涌石澗]. After a break outside a clan house, we headed for the Maclehose Trail via Sheung Yeung [上洋]. The path cut through a thick bamboo wood, out of this wood, a maze of trails in the sea of sedges lie before our eyes. Such a maze did look like a brain [Tai No]. Spectacular views came into sight ever since we ascended West Buffalo Hill [黃牛山]. Sharp peaks of Buffalo Hill [水牛山] and Shek Nga Shan seemed to compete with that of Ma On Shan. At Ngau Au [牛坳], we turned south-west for Fa Sum Hang [花心坑] where Kwong Yuen [廣源] Estate was within hearing distance.

Sam A & Wang Leng　三椏及橫嶺　13/2/05 The scenery of Starling Inlet was not as attractive as it was in late spring. At least, it was not as green. We started from Luk Keng and went up Fan Shui Au from Kuk Po. Yan Chau Tong Marine Park came into sight soon after descending the pass heading towards Lai Chi Wo. Crossing the board walk area on mudflats, pink sandstone fringed the shore of Sam A. Going uphill again somewhere along Miu Sam Ancient Trail, reaching a crossroad west of Tai Tung, we began to follow the path along the ridge of Wang Leng. Visiting the peaks of Ma Tau Fung and Chek Ma Tau in a warm afternoon, sceneries beyond the reservoir were hidden in a veil of haze as usual. Not much had been done in lessening such air pollution problem. The sun shone from the other side of Pat Sin Leng, only the shade of the collapsed extinct volcano could be seen. The path finally led to the Bride's Pool picnic area.

Ho Hok to Tai Lam　蠔殼至大欖　6/2/05 　photos 相簿 從兩個可能路口中選了較近的一個，即是從油站旁車路口進入。可是打後實地部份路被封了，後來得村民指點才得以越閘上蠔殼山。初時仍沒有山路，只有一片剛從山火中復原的雜草地。山頭上有著十分遼闊的景觀，只是霧還沒全散去，一些較高的山頭，譬如雞公嶺就蓋了一頂小白帽。四周大部份是本地少有的平原區，十八鄉，元朗市中心，錦田及八鄉等，都盡入眼簾。今天本來是約好了去薄刀屻的，但天氣預告說有霧又有微雨，惟有改地方，結果卻十分好陽光又熱！加上先訪的兩山不屬郊野公園，欠缺植物，更覺炎熱。不知是否只有元朗區好天氣呢？ 掌牛山有不少地洞和墳，大欖郊遊徑則自井坑山開始，接著經過四排石山。該處很多石級面已被侵蝕，遺下絆人的直豎石屎板。郊遊徑接麥徑的永吉橋段，繼後我們訪伯公凹的其中兩間小廟宇。後應要求改下麥徑十段走塘畔迂迴小徑出掃管笏，並加遊黃金海岸。在水塘範圍的限制車路上，不時有私家車風馳電掣的經過，轉彎也沒先響號，對行人做成很大危險。以前已常聽到有遊人不滿，我也在吉慶橋那兒見過不少私家車經過，活像無王管。可惜這次遇到漁護處巡邏時，還未碰上飛馳的私家車。

Upper Sheung Luk Stream　雙鹿上游　26/1/05 The sun seemed to be reluctant to showing its face the whole morning, and it was even replaced by the fog and drizzle later in the afternoon. It was just a short trip upstream, starting from Sai Wan Pavilion. Moving uphill along Luk Wu CT, reaching the middle stream of Sheung Luk at Ming Yau Falls [鳴幽瀑]. Water was flowing feebly in the stream, doing not much in filling up the pools along the way. Looking down at the 'dark' water pools, the idea of taking the risk to bathe in such pools filled my mind. It was all the more scary when I was moving along the Thin Ledge Passage [石棧道]. No one would want to fall into any water with such quality. While having lunch break at the last pool, the fog started to drift in to the ravine. Temperature dropped due to the cooling effect of the water droplets. While looking over the cascades of pools, the noise of an engine was heard approaching from a distance. All of a sudden, a cylindrical-shaped subject with a long pole on top came out of the fog in mid-air. It was hard to figure out what such eerie thing was, before its whole body could be seen. A few seconds had passed, a helicopter appeared from behind the spur. Still I was wondering why it was carrying water along in this humid day. The rock faces had become really slippery to me in the rain. To leave the stream, we had to go down some metres, before climbing up a slippery steep slope on our lef. After scuttling through a maze of undergrowth, we had reached Luk Wu CT which was not far from the slope. This country trail was familiar to me, I just hurried away to the bus stop near Tsak Yue Wu [鯽魚湖].

Hung Shek Mun　紅石門　24/1/05 　Sunny w/smog　BF1　18 oC　photos 相簿 The bus was detained at the roadblock for more than a quarter of an hour at Tai Mei Tuk due to a marathorn race. Hence, a train of vehicles were held up with engines on, polluting the air all the more. We hurried on from Bride's Pool to an indistinct path [GPS GR reading: KK189911] branching off from Miu Sam Ancient Path [苗三古道]. From that junction onwards, we scurried through a bewildering mix of paths in the forest of Ma Niu Shui [馬尿水] area. The end of the path led to a cliff, a nameless creek lied below. The creek had already dried up, making it easier for us to clamber among the boulders. Its estuary situated near the dead end of Pak Hoi Tuk [北海篤]. The secluded shore was covered with remarkably pink sandstone, with weird weathering features. It was ebb tide when we moved along the coast to the next cove - Tai Shui Wu [大水湖]. Taking the path again from its east end, we reached Hung Shek Mun village not long after descending a path from the junction at KK215909. A weir blocked much of the water from the sea. Further inland lied another pond. The kind of rock at this part of coastline was not as pink as those at Pak Hoi Tuk, yet it was much easier to reach this ruined village from the main path. On the other side of the strait was Double Island where the OBA was located. A small reservoir was found en route halfway uphill. Perhaps the eastern wind and the sunshine had worked the wonder, the haze was not as thick as expected. Visitors could enjoy a splendid panoramic vista of the rolling hills and numerous islets in the vicinity of Double Haven. Ascending towards Hung Shek Mun Au, we joined the main path from then on. It was shocking to find that the haze was almost as thick as a shroud of mist over the Plover Cove Reservoir. Without proceeding on to Chek Ma Tau [赤馬頭], we descended Tai Tung [大峒] for Ha Miu Tin [下苗田].

Tiu Shau Ngam, Ma On Shan　馬鞍山吊手岩　2/1/05 天氣只十度多點，可是風不大，每次起步不久便很快覺熱，結果穿一件長袖也成。可惜昨天的晴空萬里，換成了今天的陰霾與煙霞。自馬鐵大水坑站附近的限制車路上山；但實際上，一些非法耕地弄得支路比地圖上的還要多，惟有花時間確認。又因好奇走到車路末端的水壩看馬大中游，水量已不多。正確的小路位於一處有鐵欄的澗旁，初段為梯級，上升數米後不用理會右邊通往耕地的支路，應繼續上山。途中要越過大小沖蝕溝，一路上浮沙碎石與支路頗多。最終來到一山頭，可望見馬鞍山村及聽見燒烤場傳來的喧嘩。我們走右方小徑，從墳場左面走過，下梯級即見燒烤場在面前。登家樂徑到觀景台，循右面的泥路上山，初段較峭也有較多繩。由於我們只是上山，通常用那些繩來作狀拍照。途中曾遇上由成人伴著的小孩們，她們看來也能應付。從抵達吊手岩之巔開始，景觀更進一步擴闊；沙田河，吐露港以至赤門海峽沿岸矇矓景緻都盡入眼簾。也是從吊手岩開始，險峻的山勢更為明顯。 從牛押山看企嶺下海最合適，當時亦勉強看得見赤洲及黃竹角咀。而自馬鞍山則能眺望西貢海域的大小島嶼，甚至遠及萬宜東壩和清水灣等。往茅坪前，曾匆匆到鹿巢山的山林拍照。卻沒取道鹿巢坳，因以前走過了。將到茅坪時的一大段山坡正從山火中復原，令人猜想大海嘯災民也會有著這種生命力吧！另外當然要提的是我在牛押山頭又發現不少煙頭及萬Ｘ路煙包，真無良！害人害物。 最後自石砌古道直奔梅子林村，下車路往富安。那古道鋪得不錯，加上樹影婆娑，夏天走也應不是問題，唯一是小橋後有叉路，要選右路。

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