Many curious guests ask about TRM’s unusual pumice fence. Many have never seen pumice before. We had American inmates asking about it yesterday…
Pumice is a type of extrusive volcanic rock, produced when lava with a very high content of water and gases is discharged from a volcano. As the gas bubbles escape, the lava becomes frothy. When this lava cools and hardens, the result is a very light rock material filled with tiny bubbles of gas that floats down local rivers into Lake Taupo.
Pumice is a very porous, frothlike volcanic glass that has long been used as an abrasive in cleaning, polishing, and scouring compounds. It is also employed as a lightweight aggregate in precast masonry units, poured concrete, insulation and acoustic tile, plaster, and now as a fence material.
My most memorable experience collecting pumice for the TRM boundary fence follows…
TRM’s pumice fence story…
During weekends and holidays more people are walking around the river to enjoy the scenery. These walking tourists often comment on the unusual pumice fence that surrounds TRM on three street frontages. They asked why pumice and where did the pumice came from?… so I have to tell them of my funny experience collecting pumice.
The original wire netting fence looked tatty so we tried to cover it up with brushwood but this soon started deteriorating so a better long-term permanent solution had to be found. Then some idiots set fire to it in the middle of the night and burnt out the wiring for the electric sign as well. TRM were lucky that a passing truck driver noticed the fire and stopped and used his truck wash-down hose to put it out. The hero woke us up to tell us the fire was out.
That was the prime motivation we needed. TRM was anxious to find a more sustainable permanent low cost material, that was reasonably maintenance-free, fireproof, and available locally. All around the shores of Lake Taupo pumice is washed up, so this was collected instead. We know it is an attractive alternative almost vandal-proof fireproof solution. It also looks cool.
After the SH1 fire-damaged fence repairs were completed, and after SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Manager of everything She surveys at TRM) approved the result, the same pumice theme was continued around the property. SWMBO was surprised at my perseverance, going to the lake and walking km’s of beach to collect pumice. Then today She discovered an old photo and demanded an explanation of the history – which might reveal my enthusiasm for collecting so much pumice. (Instead of fishing)
The photo was dated October, eight years ago. I was collecting pumice along the beach when my vehicle became stuck in soft sand, so I had to phone for a tow. Fortunately, I had taken my iphone but previously had never had to phone out. I only ever used it to take photos. It was always turned off the rest of the time to avoid disruptions to my fishing… I wandered along a track heading back to the car park and this is what I discovered.
True! The delightful young French (?) lady was taking a portable shower in the wilderness. She posed for the photo after she had put her bikini top back on…) I had to tactfully interrupt her in case she imagined I was “perving” on her. I explained, in my best school French, my predicament and she kindly showed me how to phone back to SWMBO at the motel.
September 2015 bogged in sand on Stump Bay beach.
Eventually, SWMBO in the towing car also became bogged so another tourist in a 4WD towed us both out.
If you wish to collect some pumice to build your own fire-proof fence then drive to Stump Bay via Frethey Drive off SH1, about 3 km north of Turangi.