29/01/2025. Harwood Area. Grade 2. Hikers. Leaders: Raewyn Keene and Helen Morris.
The Web notice said, ‘hoping for a leisurely and enjoyable day’s outing in an eclectic spot’, and that’s what 20 hikers & 1 grand-daughter experienced.
The day started a little chilly on the Portobello foreshore where we had an early morning tea break. Back in the cars we drove to the bus terminal on the other side of Portobello where passengers disembarked to start the walk around Portobello Bay. The drivers meantime, drove to the Harwood Hall, parked their cars and walked back to meet the main group.
Now regrouped, we set off along Tidewater Drive to be greeted by a robot having a beer with his metal friends on the fence. A Lilliput library drew some attention too.
Not much further along was a beautiful garden where the lady of the house was happy to talk to us. Onward to the Harwood peer to take in the great view of Port Chalmers & a cruise ship (a shame the tide was out), then passed some interesting places in Ide Street (not to mention a great outdoor seat made from a bath).
A local track took us through to the tree lined avenue of Kokomuka Street and out along the seashore to Carnock Street. “My bridesmaid lives here somewhere” said Jay (the lady at the garden earlier had given her a clue about a container & boat outside the house). Found it…. a 5-minute reunion after 50 years!
Moving along to the Akapatiki Flat (what used to be the local Pony Club), we followed the well-worn track through overgrown grass & gorse while avoiding rabbit holes, finally arriving at the top end of the Otakou Golf Course. Hugging the left side to avoid airborne golf balls, we walked along the course, eventually coming to a gate out to the road. A short distance along the road was the Golf Clubhouse where we enjoyed our lunch break. By now the temperature had risen considerably & it was time to get out the sunscreen.
Our return began by walking the opposite side of the golf course, the Akapatiki Flat for a short distance, then detouring on another track to the seashore, eventually taking some steps up to the streets of Harwood again. As we rounded the corner to the hall and cars, there was the last eclectic sight, a ‘mailbox’ made of 3 filing cabinets!
The varying distance measurements showed we covered 9-10km. Coffee was at the ‘Cove Cafe’ in Portobello, but most enjoyed an ice-cream back on the foreshore.
Helen & Raewyn
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.