Trip Reports

Herbert Forest Bike Ride: Tracks were muddy in the forest, so another route was undertaken. Twelve people enjoyed the day but finished in the rain.

Benmore Easement Track: Seven people went on this walk. Start at D O C site then cross a creek and follow the orange markers up hill. Not enough time to reach the cairn at the top but great views of the lakes and surrounds.

Herbert Forest Working Bee: Lots of track clearing and step building achieved.

Kahikatea Lodge: Seven people braved the cold, A steep downhill start then on up to the hut which sleeps 6 and has an exceptional toilet door.

Otamatapaio Hut: Cancelled due to flooding.

 

Up and Coming Trips

Wainakarua to Kakanui: Walk along the coast.

Mt Sommers Weekend: Staying in huts. Date to be decided.

Mt Milne in the Kirkliston’s: Enjoy the views

Labour Wknd Bike Ride: Bike around the local area

 

Our speakers tonight were Julian and Lynette Hardy talking about their trip to Turkey, Croatia, Netherlands and the U.K.

The first part of their trip was from Istanbul where they joined a tour group. Visits were made to the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and other sites in Istanbul. The group also visited Gallipoli, Lone Pine, Canakkale, Troy, and Selsurk where they watched traditional carpet dyeing and weaving. They then visited many historical sites and also the springs at Pamuk Kale. They are beautiful blue pools formed in the white calcium carbonate landscape and are thought to be therapeutic.

There was a coastal walk called the Lycian Way that they enjoyed walking part of. Other places the couple visited were Kekova, a sunken city, Kanya where the whirling Dervishes originated, Cappadocia where they stayed in one of the caves and Eskisehir the “Venice of Turkey” then back to Istanbul.

A flight to Croatia was next where they boarded a cruise ship for 8 days. It stopped at many sites including the Blue Caves along the coast. They enjoyed the city of Split and the beautiful scenery. Next came Amsterdam and a cycle tour of the city. They visited many sites including the Red-Light district and Anne Frank’s house. Their son met them in Amsterdam, and they all travelled via the Euro Star train back to London. In the U K. they saw Windsor Castle, the Meridian line at Greenwich, the Regency canal and did a walk along the Dover coast to finish off their adventure.

Meeting closed at 8.45 pm followed by a cup of tea

N.O T M C Extraordinary Meeting and September Club Meeting Report 2024                                                       

Last month an extraordinary meeting was scheduled to ratify the agreed changes to the clubs’ constitution as required by the Governments changes to the Incorporated Societies Act. These changes had been proposed and discussed by committee and members at previous meetings and sent out to all members. A motion was put forward to accept the changes. Motion was carried.          Meeting closed 7.34pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Jenny chaired our September Club meeting                                                                                         

Trip Reports                                                                                                                                         

Grampians Trip:  5 people went on this very windy tramp in the Haka pass area. Snow on the tops was powdery but the wind was extreme. Lunch in the shelter of Black Rock. From the top views of 7 lakes could be seen.

Orbell’s Cave: A fine day. 12 people headed up Orbell’s stream with lots of criss crossing. Mostly downhill on the way there with an uphill walk on the way back. A good day out.                                                                                                          Wednesday walkers gave their report.                                                                                                 

Up and coming Events                                                                                                                       

A bike ride in the Herbert Forest for All grades.                                                                                           

Working bee in the Herbert Forest: Mainly repairing wind damage.                                                   

Benmore Range:  Tramp starts not far from the Salmon farm. Climb to 1000 meters                         

Otamatapaio Hut: 15km walk into the hut. Stay overnight then out.                                                   

Kahikatea hut: Walk from Mt Misery Rd up along ridge to the hut.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Kenya and Tanzania Safari and Bike Trip                                                                                     

In May and June 2024, two of our members Karyl Robertson and Jenny Kitchin, her husband and another friend Julia headed off to Nairobi to start their safari part of the trip. Nairobi is on the equator but at 1000ft. They had a driver/guide and travelled in a special vehicle designed for animal viewing. They visited Mt Kenya National Reserve. Mornings and evening were the best times to see the animals who appeared not bothered by visitors. Accommodation was great, tents but very luxurious. Villagers were very poor and built houses from anything they could find. The markets were great because the weather was good for growing a wide variety of fruit and vege. They travelled on to the Karamega Rain Forest. It is a remnant forest with teak and Mahogony trees, 400 varieties of birds and the same as butterflies. The group visited a fisherman’s island in Lake Victoria then on to the grasslands of the Masi Mara where there were lots of animals to see. They toured part of the Rift Valley which is huge then on back to Nairobi.  Their bike trip started in Nairobi with a group of cyclists. A truck had been adapted to carry everything they needed including bikes, food and all the fresh water for the ride. Biking distances varied day to day. Their trip took them close to Mt Kilimanjaro, through the savannah where the Masi locals guarded their camp at night then on to the Usambara highlands, a visit to the tourist focused town of Lushoto then down to the much hotter plains and finally to the Indian Ocean coast where the bike trip finished. A visit and a relax in Zanzibar completed their adventure.                                                                                                                                           

Meeting closed 8.40pm followed by a cup of tea. 

A photo competition was held, and photos were shown on the screen in different categories for members to vote on. Results of the votes to be posted on the club website. Winner’s photos will be entered into the F.M.C. photo competition. There were beautiful photos, and we found it hard to choose winners.

Trip Reports

Ben Lomond

9 people enjoyed a walk up towards the top of Ben Lomond on a fine day 

Conical Hill Walkers started at an easement from the Pig Route. A good day with views from the top as far as the Rock and Pillars.

Aoraki Mt Cook weekend. Based at the Canterbury Alpine club hut. Saturday some walked up to the Red Tarns then up on to a rocky outcrop with great views, Others attempted to walk the Hooker track but turned back because of congestion on the track. Sunday not so fine Some walked into the Hooker hut. Others to Kea Point, A lovely weekend.

Up and Coming Trips

Bike Ride Around the Enfield area. All levels.

Luxmore hut:  Stay at Te Anau Friday night then walk to Luxmore Hut. Other options available

Trotters Gorge: Explore this area

Arthurs Pass: Walk into the Hawdon hut. Other options available

Wednesday walkers gave their report

Meeting closed 8.30pm followed by a cup of tea.

Trip Reports

No trips went ahead this month due to weather and other factors 

Up and Coming Trips 

Ben Lomond: A walk along the ridge between the Maraewhenua and  Otekaieke rivers.

Conical Peak: This will go ahead if enough interest is shown as a car is needed at each end.

Mt Cook Base Camp:  Stay at Canterbury alpine hut and do day walks. A pot-luck dinner on Saturday night.

Ewe Range: Good views up on the tops in the Omarama area.

 

The Wednesday walkers gave their report.

The July meeting will include a photo competition Entries needed

Our guest speaker was David Nind, one of our members. David spoke about Wikipedia “The National Park Project’. Wikipedia is an online open source of information. They have many different categories. “Commons” is the page where you can add photos and other media. Volunteers can edit and add to articles. David explained that in Wikipedia there was not much information about our National Parks and volunteers are welcome to add photos etc. to this resource. He also explained how to license and upload your images to Wikipedia.

 Meeting closed at 8.25 pm followed by a cup of tea.