South Island secrets

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 20

South Island secrets

The Secret South Island. By Geoff and Marthy Cloake. Heinemann, 1985. 103 pp. Illustrations. $24.95 (paperback). Among the wealth of spectacular books displaying New Zealand scenery, it would be a great pity - if this more modest offering was overlooked. The Cloakes, one from Timaru, the other from Holland, have fallen in love with the South Island that lies off the roads and accessible only to those prepared to make an effort of exploration. Through spectacular and unfamiliar pictures they bring alive the bush, the high country and the mountains. The text is more a matter of enthusastic chatter

' than a detailed description of places or plants. Still, it manages to convey a good ' deal of information, backed up with a helpful bibliography and a sensible section diiTooW and equipment for those ,who want to' venture , off the beaten " tracks. The Cloakes had two principal intentions: to encourage more people to enjoy their secret South Island, in a responsible manner, and to bring alive the magic of bush and mountains to those people unlikely ever to be able to go and see for themselves. They succeed well in both intentions, and in the process have produced an unexpected and attractive book. — Lorna Buchanan.