Author Archive
Club Night October 2015
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
12th October 2015
With warmer weather recently, many walks were completed by the Wednesday Walkers, including Station Peak, Altavady Farm up to Stoney Ridge and Kurinui via Big Kuri Creek. The NOTMC trips included a big turnout for the A2O Bike Ride from Duntroon to Oamaru and a windy Devil’s Elbow.
Dave Mellish, a member of the club, gave an interesting talk about his trip to Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. Singapore, a clean city, free from political corruption makes it unique. In Cambodia, Dave visited the Angkor Wot Temple which is virtually a square mile of rock. There are many Temples in Cambodia which are built in memory of past Kings. A trip on the Mekong Delta was an interesting experience. A visit to the Khmer Rouge Monument in Cambodia and the Vietnam War Museum subdued their trip however it was a huge part of their history. The locals in Vietnam did not have ill feeling towards New Zealanders from the Vietnam War, because tourism is now a part of Vietnam’s economy. Dave’s party hired a boat from Hanoi for two days and visited Halong Bay and Sung Sat Cave which is similar to Waitomo Caves . They went trekking in the Sapa area in which they saw Rice fields. Two local women followed them for the entire trip knowing that they would be able to sell them embroidered silk clothes and wall hangings.
Club Night September 2015
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015
A number of walks were completed by the Wednesday Walkers including Teanaraki Escarpment, Seacliff Split Rock, Ben Lomond Ridge, Tapui Farm and Timaru Inland Walkway.
Club members enjoyed climbing Te Kohurau, walking Oamaru Cape and beach, plus Kakahu Bush.
Neville Corry, club member, talked about his recent tramps to the Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman Track. He was joined by several other club members and friends. The Heaphy Track is a 78km, 4 day tramp. On the first day they reached Perry Saddle Hut and Neville and Rex climbed Mt Perry. Next day was 28km to McKay Hut, then to Heaphy Hut. All huts on this track had been renewed since 2010.
The Abel Tasman track and the Inland Track is 100km. First day was to Anchorage Hut, second day to Awaroa Hut Inlet. Third day took in bush and bays including Separation Point which separates Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. DOC is trying to establish a gannet colony on Separation Point so they have “dummy” gannets with recorded sounds to attract gannets. Third night was at Wharewharangi Hut and fourth day was to tramp to Pigeon Saddle. They then completed the Inland Track. Abel Tasman Track meanders through native bush and into many bays.
A2O Bike Ride, Duntroon to Oamaru
Monday, September 21st, 2015
20th September 2015
A late decision to use the backup day of Sunday giving a better weather forecast was used and the final number of riders only known on the day made for interesting organising.
With 14 cyclists assembling at the car park, bikes loaded onto trailers we set off for Duntroon and on arrival we met Uwe who had already had a warm-up ride biking from Weston.
As we set off in fine overhead conditions with a cool southerly breeze our first stop was at the Maori rock drawings less than 1km away. Mel’s borrowed bike had a puncture and a flat front tyre requiring a quick tube change and some warm up pump exercise.
The peleton moved on to the next stop in the valley of John Hore’s farm without further incident. After a snack in the warm sheltered valley it was tempting to stay but the show had to go on.
The steep zig-zag section leaving the valley saw some walking their bikes while others challenged themselves biking and won.
The off-road section continued across Grants Road and onto Duff Farm where a gentle down hill stretch exited onto Prydes Gully Road and another regrouping. Sarah had a woopsie on the loose pine needles, but that was soon sorted with a couple of sticky plasters and Sam had had an altercation with a stick getting caught in the back wheel but no damage to bike or rider.
A short section of tarseal took us back off road following the Karara Creek through farmland with lots of new lambs to Cants Road.
A gravel hill climb to Peaks Road saw the party spread out but regrouping before the enjoyable fast downhill ride to Rakis Tunnel. The dark tunnel was negotiated with the aid of several torches and red rear flashing indicators which took us to the “light at the end of the tunnel” where an obstacle course of pine cones and a wind fell log was crossed before arriving at Peaks Road.
The gravel lead to Windsor township and a short ride up to the old church, God’s Old House, where Roger and Carol’s new venture of coffee making for the tourists was sampled in a sheltered courtyard along with our own lunch. A pleasant setting,with bodies refuelled it was back on the road where the riding was easy going, following Pig Island and Burnside Roads linking the next section of offroad trail beginning at Whitstone and connecting the old railway line through Weston. It was here where the vehicle drivers and some of the locals finished their ride, while the rest continued onto the Oamaru Harbour, riding through the gardens, streets and historic part of town.
Rumour has it that some of the finishers ended up at Scotts Brewery for well deserved refreshments.
Thanks to the transport drivers and all who attended an enjoyable day ride in pleasant surroundings.
Uwe, Bill, Robbie, Sam, Kate, Pete, Sylvia, Chris, Ross M, John, Jane, Phyllis, Mel, Sarah.
Maurice.
Kakahu Bush
Friday, September 11th, 2015
Sunday, 6th September
Arriving at Kakahu Bush at 10am, the historical lime kiln presented itself boldly. Made of stacked stone, approximately 20 metres high, of a cylinder shape and built in 1876. This area is rich in limestone and also coal which together are used in the kiln to produce burnt lime. Coal and limestone are alternately layered and at 1000 degrees, the calcium carbonate is driven off and the remainder is calcium oxide, useful for agricultural lime. This kiln was used until 1900. We set off and soon were at the Pinnacles Look out which was a 10 minute side trip. We stopped for lunch on top of the Pinnacles with fantastic views of South Canterbury. On to the next stop which was the Balancing Rock hidden amongst large trees growing up the side of the cliff face. After this walk, there is a 10 minute Escarpment Track which is worth the stop. Also Waitohi Reserve is an old track, being amongst a Podocarp forest, so we had a 20 minute walk here but there is a 60 minute option also.
Thanks to Linda, Bill and John for the company. Bess
Cape Wanbrow & Beach Walk
Sunday, August 30th, 2015
In dull overcast conditions five members left the Medway Street carpark on foot, crossing under the Thames Street bridge, following the track by the steampunk headquarters and along to the end of Test Street. We then made our way up through the recently felled Cape Wanbrow forrest on various tracks, some bike trails and down to meet up with Graves Track. As low tide was timed for 9.30am, we didn’t waste too much time walking along the beach to the bluffs before Bushey Beach, passing several fur seals on the way. A light mist had started to fall as we picked our way around the rock pools without getting our feet too wet to reach Bushey Beach. More seals were present among the rocks and we also watched one swimming out to sea. Two pairs of oyster catchers were foraging along the tideline. The hide made a welcome stop for an early lunch. After retreating along the tops, we arrived back at the gun emplacements and after exploring the old lighthouse and forts we walked to Lookout Point and emerged onto Test Street once again. From there we strolled along the beachfront to a shelter at the playground where we had another lunch. The weather had improved as we explored the shops in Harbour Street. After admiring the engine at the steampunk headquarters, John set off the flames and steam, much to our amusement as we watched the reactions of some visitors. The walk ended after stepping across some concrete filled buckets which took us across Oamaru creek and back to the cars at 2pm.
Thanks to John, Linda, Bryce and Maurice for your company on a pleasant Sunday walk.
Phyllis
