Distance from PJP car park 48km.
Middlemarch Area – Information and Trips Library
3. 25/10/2023. Trampers. Cairn Valley/Shannon, Grade 3, 48km. Leaders: Heather Kirk, Diane Paterson.
Lovely sunshine greeted 30 keen trampers for a good day’s walk on Cairnvalley Farm Shannon. Strath Taieri offers something different in scenery with tussock hills, huge rock formations and at this time of the year fresh green vistas of paddocks and the Rock and Pillar range.
Just to make the day a bit different and to keep our eyes on what’s around us, not just chat and walk, I set a challenge! An observation quiz, with 6 teams of 5. Each carload had a sheet of 11 questions to answer during the walk. So you had to keep a lookout for things around you and work together as a team.
![IMG_7452 Pam RES1400](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7452-Pam-RES1400-300x161.jpg)
Well it was so funny watching who the competitive folk are they were off and very motivated.
![DSC07023 John RES1600](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/DSC07023-John-RES1600-300x114.jpg)
We had to keep looking around for things like; take a photo of the rock shaped like a sun dial, what is the colour of the bird in the spiky nest, how many ponds we passed in the day etc.
![DSC07024 John RES1200](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/DSC07024-John-RES1200-300x197.jpg)
We had morning tea at the big photo rock wall but it turned out too shaded to be a great picture.
![DSC07028 John RES1800](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/DSC07028-John-RES1800-300x120.jpg)
![IMG_7456 Ram RES1750](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7456-Ram-RES1750-300x133.jpg)
During the rather warm day we walked up many hills, amongst some young energetic Hereford cattle, saw some cows with calves, spring grass paddocks, great rocks, and lovely distant views.
![IMG_7462 Pam RES1100](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7462-Pam-RES1100-300x209.jpg)
![IMG_7466 Pam RES1000](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7466-Pam-RES1000-300x183.jpg)
![DSC07029 John RES1200](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/DSC07029-John-RES1200-300x165.jpg)
We enjoyed lunch overlooking the deep ponds and generally just enjoyed each other’s company.
![IMG_7476 Pam RES1400](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7476-Pam-RES1400-300x205.jpg)
It wasn’t a walk in the park, we had to push ourselves in places especially down the gully over the stream and straight up the other side.
![IMG_7482 Pam RES1200](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7482-Pam-RES1200-300x174.jpg)
![IMG_7487 Pam RES1200](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7487-Pam-RES1200-300x205.jpg)
![IMG_7491 Pam RES1400](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7491-Pam-RES1400-300x230.jpg)
No idea how many kms we covered but we were back by 2.30 pm.
![IMG_7500 Pam RES1200](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2023/10/IMG_7500-Pam-RES1200-300x189.jpg)
Afternoon tea was enjoyed on the veranda where the results of the quiz were – 3 teams got 9/11 and 3 teams 8/11 so the chocolates were shared by all! Good result. It showed everyone had been keeping their eyes open and had fun as a team.
Big thanks to Diane who kept good track of the back of the pack, Wendy B’s crew serving the tea/coffee cake and to everyone who came, it was fun!
Heather
2. 28/4/2021. Shannon’s Farm Walk
Wednesday 28th April dawned with blue sky on the Strath Taieri, much better than expected after the freezing cold southerly winds and light snow the day before. This was just as well as 22 keen trampers turned up for a walk on Cairnvalley farm at Shannon.
Just before 10 am we headed south up the farm track with plenty of lively catch up chatter going on.
![1 Heading up](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/1-Heading-up-200x150.jpg)
There’s a large old interesting pine tree up there that is growing completely out of the rocks and reaching its big feeding roots down into the ground for support. Not unlike a giant bonsai tree to my mind. Then on to a huge tall natural rock wall, ideal spot for a group photo.
![DSC04846res](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2021/04/DSC04846res-200x150.jpg)
From here we skirted a winter feed paddock and found a shel00tered spot for morning tea.
![2. The going got steaper](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/2.-The-going-got-steaper-200x150.jpg)
Refreshed we then walked on in single file on a slim trail into a deep rocky gully of tussock. Where four ponds step down gradually through the ravine. They look deep, dark and mysterious with huge rocks above standing guard.
![IMG20210428105727 (3)res5](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2021/04/IMG20210428105727-3res5-200x150.jpg)
Hereford cows happily grazing here looked us over, and decided to retreat from the long colourful snakelike formation of trampers. It was a nice place to stop and gaze around at nature’s scenery around us.
![5. A pause for breath](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/5.-A-pause-for-breath-200x150.jpg)
Then onwards and upwards towards some flatter paddocks, and gates to manoeuvre. Places to look across at the dusting of snow left on the Rock and Pillar range. Views south towards Clark’s junction and beyond, before the grey clouds started to accumulate. After such a dry summer and autumn here, rain sure would have been a welcome sight, but alas none arrived. We walked on and eventually found a sheltered spot for lunch behind hill and tussock.
![3. Lunch sheltered from the cold wind](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/3.-Lunch-sheltered-from-the-cold-wind-200x150.jpg)
Warm jackets and woolly hats appeared from packs with the cooler weather as we moved on up and back towards the west.
![4. Heading down](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/4.-Heading-down-200x150.jpg)
![Helens Photo cropped and adjusted resized to 800 20210428_095529](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/Helens-Photo-cropped-and-adjusted-resized-to-800-20210428_095529-200x150.jpg)
We were happy enough to walk down the track after some 14 km covered. Back at the house we relaxed with afternoon tea and nice bickies on the warm veranda.
![6. An idylic afternoon tea](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/6.-An-idylic-afternoon-tea-200x150.jpg)
Another good walk in great company of tramping friends.
Heather
1. 15/1/2020. Both. Shannon. Leaders: Jill R and Heather, Jan and Jenny.
Cairnvalley Farm Shannon
Silvery grey foggy conditions greeted about 40 keen walkers at Cairnvalley farm SH87 Shannon just before 10 am. But that did not wipe the enthusiastic smiles off everyone’s faces at the thought of a new year of great walks. This was somewhere new to explore.
![G.1.c2.1st photo-- Receiving information from Heather at the startcP1000948](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.1.c2.1st-photo-Receiving-information-from-Heather-at-the-startcP1000948-200x150.jpg)
Cars were parked, boots laced and off down the farm track we went, gradually walking up towards a tussocky hill. Wonderfully the fog lifted as we sat among the weather beaten rocks and tussock to enjoy our morning tea and the lovely views of the Strath Taieri area.
![G.2.c.2nd-- What a great view for morn. teaP1000950](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.2.c.2nd-What-a-great-view-for-morn.-teaP1000950-200x150.jpg)
We managed to stir ourselves away from the vista and continued eastward towards the back of the farm. Past the contented Hereford cows and calves
![G.3.c.3rd -- Can we join youP1000955](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.3.c.3rd-Can-we-join-youP1000955-200x150.jpg)
to checkout the deeper ravines into the Shannon creeks. We walked a few kilometres through paddocks and hilltops and down across the creek. Everyone found their own walking pace and met up for lunch from another lovely high vantage point.
![J.5.c.“Settling in for Lunch”DSC03714](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/J.5.c.“Settling-in-for-Lunch”DSC03714-200x150.jpg)
It had plenty of natural rocky seating , 360 degree views looking across to the Rock and Pillar range.
![G.4.c.4th -- Another marvellous view for lunchP1000967](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.4.c.4th-Another-marvellous-view-for-lunchP1000967-200x150.jpg)
We enjoyed our rest and as always plenty of happy chatter with our sandwiches.
The next stage of the walk, was down
![G.5.c.5th -- Down & through the tussocksP1000974 copy](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.5.c.5th-Down-through-the-tussocksP1000974-copy-200x150.jpg)
through a deeper rocky gully with cool black water ponds
![G.6.c.6th -- First view of the pondsP1000977](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.6.c.6th-First-view-of-the-pondsP1000977-200x150.jpg)
and tussock.
![G.7.7th -- Matagouri, tussocks and rocks---What a great trampP1000981](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.7.7th-Matagouri-tussocks-and-rocks-What-a-great-trampP1000981-200x150.jpg)
Huge rocky peaks to gaze at made the trickier sheep track slower and really interesting.
As the walk was ending …
![G.8.c,8th -- The ends in sightP1000990](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/G.8.c8th-The-ends-in-sightP1000990-200x150.jpg)
![J.1.c.Panorama _ The Kirk Place”.DSC03708](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/J.1.c.22Panorama-_-The-Kirk-Place”.DSC03708-200x150.jpg)
![J.4.c.One for Heather – Home.DSC03713](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2020/01/J.4.c.22One-for-Heather-–-Home.DSC03713-200x150.jpg)
… some continued up and across the paddocks towards the house to kindly put the kettle on. While others had a wee detour through a pine tree block then up the hill towards the house . We all enjoyed a chat, cuppa and afternoon tea on the veranda in the sunshine to complete a most interesting day’s walk in great company. – Heather.