導賞點 2
聽說這排小圓樁是用來救豬的?真的嗎?
Someone says that these pillars were built for protecting pigs. Really?
走在苗三古道,會經過一個名字奇特的地方,叫「絆死豬」。而且有一排像是練功夫用的梅花樁。
Walking along the Miu Sam Ancient Trail, you will encounter a peculiar place named “Stumbling Pig” and stepping logs that could be used to practice kung fu.
「絆死豬」是在九擔担租村及上苗田村之間的一片沼澤地,雨水多的日子四處都是泥濘。「絆死豬」一名,是否因為這處的泥濘地惡劣至把豬也絆死就不得而知了。但為了令村民和行山人士能安全通過,漁農自然護理署的同事早年在此處建了一排非常有特色的梅花樁,橫跨溪澗水深位置和泥濘地,防止雨季時溪水漲溢,把道路淹沒,也幫助人們跨過溪旁的泥沼。
“Stumbling Pig” is mash land in between Kau Tam So Village and Miu Tin Tsuen. During heavy rainfall, the whole area becomes drowned in mud. It is unconfirmed, but the name “Stumbling Pig” may have derived from pigs stumbling in the treacherous mud. So many years ago, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department planted rows of stepping logs for villagers and hikers to cross safely. The stepping logs that crossed the stream and muddy areas also prevented water overflowing and flooding roads during the rainy season.
有當時建梅花樁的老師傅跟我們說,每支樁都打得很深,非常堅固。多年來,這梅花樁陣就一直保護旅客「不用濕腳」,同時亦能與自然環境互相配合,為遊人帶來不一樣的樂趣。不過現在梅花樁旁邊剛修築了水泥橋,梅花樁漸失去從前的作用,但仍歡迎大家來走走它,試試自己的平衡力。
A worker involved in building the stepping logs told us that each log was secure and embedded very deep. For many years these stepping logs perfectly blended into the surroundings and protected travellers’ feet from getting wet. They also brought great amusement for tourists. However, a new concrete bridge was built next door, which made the stepping logs redundant. Everyone is still free to have a go on the trunks and test their balancing skills.
稍注意的是,在梅花樁前會有一分岔口 (上行梯級),上路是犁頭石古道,下路(經橋或梅花樁) 才是苗三古道。兩者均可以到達三椏村。
Please take note that before arriving at the stepping logs, there is a staircase forming a fork road. The path heading up the steps leads to Lai Tau Shek Ancient Trail, the steps going down leads to the trail bridge or stepping logs (which is Miu Sam Ancient Trail). Both pathways journey onto Sam A Tsuen.