Combined – Page 3 – Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

Bus Trip: Daisy Bank to Hyde. Rail Trail

No. 106 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Bus Trip to Old Central Railway”

4. 3/3/2021. Combined. Daisy Bank. Leaders: Theresa White and Sara McCormack

30 trampers gathered on a beautiful mild morning at the carpark. With everyone arriving promptly we were able to get on the bus and be away just before 8.30. We paused to pick up Heather at the top of the hill and had a comfort stop at Middlemarch. Arriving at Daisybank we all disembarked for morning tea in the sun.

DSC04641res — “Leaving the bus.” – Photo and Caption John

5 hikers decided to do a shorter walk so, after morning tea, they hopped back on the bus and were transported back towards Hyde. They started their walk from Tiroiti giving them 6km for the day.
The remaining 26 trampers set a steady pace on the rail trail towards Hyde. First evidence we were on an old railway line was the gangers Hut called Red Dwarf Hut. We regrouped in a nice shady area which conveniently had a toilet. A few walked down the bank to check out the river.

The next gangers Hut was at Tiroiti. This one has some information boards inside. We then crossed the Capburn Creek bridge (built in 1897) which has been left in its original .

DSC04644res — “If only I had my fishing rod!” – Photo and Caption John.

20210303_111152res — “Regrouping in the shade.” – Photo and Caption Helen

The next bridge to cross was Prices Creek viaduct (built 1963). Shortly after was our lunch stop in the shade of the bank of the Prices Creek tunnel which is lined in brick. 15 trampers ventured down the hill to check out the Taieri River Diversion before having their lunch.

DSC04654res — “Disappearing river.” – Photo and Caption John

After lunch, just another 3km and with the wind on our backs we were blown along, arriving at Hyde where the hikers were relaxing in the shade.

DSC04668res — “Great tail end Charlie work Theresa.” – Photo and Caption John

The Coffee kart, which also sold ice creams, did a good trade. We all rested in the shade before hopping back on the bus, arriving back at the car park just before 4. A lovely walk in the sunshine.

3. 3/4/2019. All. Daisy Bank -Hyde. Rail Trail. leader: Bob.

After a delayed start owing to members being given differing start times the bus finally left the car park at 9am. The morning was crisp and clear with the roadside verges having frost on them. We arrived at Daisy Bank in time for morning tea on a calm sunny morning.

H.Morning tea at Daisybankc — Morning tea at Daisybank. (Helen pic and caption.)

48 members set off towards Hyde on the rail trail that was excellent to walk on.

G.1st photo-- On the wayc — On the way. (Gordon pic and caption.)

We stopped for lunch by the Taieri River 6km into the 11km walk.

H.Viaduct and lunch stopc — Viaduct and lunch stop. (Helen pic and caption.)

At the tunnel…

G.5th photo-- Prices creek tunnel entrancec — Prices creek tunnel entrance. (Gordon pic and caption.)

G.7th. Prices Creek TunnelJPG — Prices creek tunnel.(Gordon pic and caption.)

…some of the more energetic members went down to the river to see the 50 mtr diversion of the river through rock so they could mine for gold on the then dry river bed.

P.3.Surveying the diversion channelc — Surveying the diversion channel. (Phil pic and caption.)

We arrived at the Hyde Cafe at 2.30pm for an ice cream or a drink or both.

G.8th-- Finish and icecreamsc — Finish and ice creams. (Gordon pic and caption.)

We left there at 3pm arriving back in Mosgiel just after four oclock.
Thanks to Richard Tranior of Good Time Tours for his excellent service.
– Bob & Peter.

2. 29/3/2011. All. Daisy Bank – Hyde. Rail Trail.

Bob’s bus was big and comfortable. Thanks to one or two club members rounding up extra passengers, numbers travelling managed (just) to reach the 30 needed to pay for it. We arrived at Daisy Bank at ten past ten so decided to start the walk with morning tea.

Morning Tea, under what shade was available. (John pic)

With Bev willing to play the role of back-marker, we were able to set off at our own times, at our own paces and with whomsoever we cared to link up.

A warm nor-wester tail-wind comfortably tempered what might otherwise have been too hot a day. But so vigorous was its assistance at times, it was difficult to maintain a dignified walking-pace.

The viaducts were great. This one, awesome.

To the left of the tunnel entrance was the following interesting notice.

Ken, who in a previous life had worked with DoC, and had hammered some of the nails into the previous viaduct, on two – yes, two – occasions was willing to escort companions close-by at the time, down to the Taieri River diversion channel referred to in the above notice.

Diversion inlet. Can just see the outlet. (Ken pic)

Yours truly was willing to cast all photogenic illusions aside to grace a tunnel alcove with human interest.

The cafe at the end did a roaring trade accommodating a big club spend-up. The day was still relatively young, and we were in no hurry to get back on the bus, so we didn’t, for a restful long while.

At long last, we were back on the bus and headed back to Dunedin through a surprising band of rain at one point. A good day out, well-enjoyed by all. – Ian

20/5/2009. Hikers. Daisy Bank to Hyde. Rail Trail. (Cancelled. Weather wet, windy. Middlemarch road closed. Snow.) Leaders: Neil, Evelyn C.

1. 6/3/2002. Daisy Bank – Hyde. Rail Trail.

20/11/1997 ( Data missing)

Takitakitoa Wetland

1. 7/4/2021. All. Takitakitoa Wetland. Leaders. Raewyn, Phil and Jill D

Wow, what a magical place, right on our back door, we can come here anytime, a great place to bring the grand kids…….Just some of the comments from 45 folk as we surveyed the wetland from the look out after the initial 20 minutes of walking, and listened to Steve Dixon from Otago Fish and Game wax lyrical about his office and spot fng his house, and who would disagree with him.

DSC04783res — “The popular view” – Photo and Caption John.

“Steve from Fish and Game talking.” – Photo and Caption John

Steve clearly had done a Health and Safety assessment, having first created additional steps and boardwalk to aid access to the lookout track. He outlined the land history of the area, including land swaps, to provide an effective area for the wetland, as well as the process of creating the lake through the formation of the bund, and how flows and water levels are managed.

The area was quickly adopted by a range of water fowl and aquatic life and the mai-mai’s are available and open to junior and novice game bird hunters, principally on the opening day of the game bird season.

Following morning tea we backtracked from the lookout and carried on, past extensive and fast growing native plantings to skirt the wetland and finally to arrive on the bund, that effectively controls water depth in the wetland at around 800mm. We strolled and shambled across the bund, where Steve outlined the fish pass process, including the inanga (whitebait) breeding habitat.

DSC04785res — “The water and whitebait come and go from here!” – Photo and Caption John..

In addition to brown teal, mallard, ‘parries’, black swan, and one or two white faced heron were also observed. Some perch maybe establishing themselves in the wetland as well. The fishermen turned their eyes to the pools….

In thanking Fish and Game for their hospitality it was commented that it was great to see a vision achieved so quickly, and with the right environment and support to see how nature can quickly be re established. Thanks also to the NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust for funding .

Folk stretched out for the return walk to the cars, with Steve providing some assistance for hitch-hikers over the last few hundred metres. Thanks again Steve.

Otago Fish and Game work with volunteers (including corporate groups) so keep an eye on their Facebook page if you want to become involved. (https://www.facebook.com/Otagofishandgame). Also a really good video of the wetland is available at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSZTzcVlA9M).

Lester’s 90^th birthday

From the Wetland car park there was a steady procession of cars headed for Momona Hall to enjoy a convivial lunch with guest of honour Lester. The chairperson of the Hall committee provided an interesting over view of the history of the Hall, and outlined in some detail the restoration efforts, principally the magnificent murals and overall presentation of the Hall. Yes a great secret that should be more widely understood and appreciated.

IMG-20210407-WA0002res — “Learning of the History and murals of the hall.” – Photo and Caption Pam

Arthur outlined to the group Lester’s work and community contribution, including to the Club and presented a card to Lester, which was followed by a fairly rousing version of Happy Birthday Lester. In his response and subsequently the cutting of his chocolate and fruit cake, the latter so expertly baked by himself, Lester managed to squeeze in quite a bit of comment, acknowledging also Mrs Harvey’s 93^rd birthday as well as their 65 years of marriage. Well done!

“I made this 90th birthday cake.” – Photo and Caption Clive

In true tramping fashion justice was done to the lovely food, to which everyone had so ably contributed.

“Lester’s 90th birthday function.” – Photo and Caption Pam

Many thanks to all involved in making the day first and foremost such a wonderful social occasion.

Phil, Raewyn, and Jill D

Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction

35 km

2. 7 Mar 2918. Both. Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction. Leaders: Jay and Jan.

Route Map, courtesy Ian. Station House to Deep Stream.

On Wednesday 7th March 40 trampers and hikers completed a walk on “Clarksbrae” farm, Clarks Junction. After a 30 minute car ride we arrived on a lovely summer’s day at “Clarksbrae” Farm and parked close to the woolshed. I must say the tidiest and cleanest woolshed I have ever seen.

From there we had to take 6 cars to the end of the walk to shuttle people on completion of the walk.

It was 10.30 when we started

Some cars were hidden in a valley about 10k from Clarksbrae and we set out to find them. We set out across well tended farmland … (Clive pic and caption.)

and the walk was on a designated stock laneway. It was a steady but gentle climb through beautiful farmland

… and live stock. (Clive pic and caption.)

and wonderful views of the Maungatua, The Lammermoor Range, the Rock and Pillar Range through to Middlemarch. At the end of the laneway we turned left and walked up to the trig station where we had our lunch at 12.30.

With a late start we missed morning tea but made the most of lunch at the trig point. (Clive pic and caption.)

After lunch we followed a track that in places was marked out with painted arrows and warratahs with plastic bags on put in place by the farmer so as we knew which direction to take to get back to the cars. This part of the walk was generally down hill.

Downhill to search for the cars. (Clive pic and caption.)

Hurray, we found them. (Clive pic and caption.)

Many of our walkers filled plastic bags with beautiful fresh mushrooms.

The distance travelled was 11.5ks. Coffee was at the ” Wobbly Goat” in Outram. – Jay and Jan B

30 August, 2017. Hikers. Clarksbrae, Clarks Junction. Leaders: Jay and Jan.

Tramp Report from the hikers group. Our walk today comprising of 21 enthusiastic folk started at “Clarksbrae” Farm, Clarks Junction. Farm owner, Richard Nichol gave permission to us to walk along the stock lane way which was very comfortable under foot. The walk was a gentle climb with three steep short gullies to get the heart rate up a bit. Very doable for all concerned. The scenery encompassed The Maungatua, the Lammermoors, the Rock and Pillar Range and the Kakanui Range. We had lunch at the trig station which gave us 360 degrees views. The walk back was all down hill. All up we walked 10.3ks. – Jay and Jan.

Concord Blackhead

12 km from car park
No. 103 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Concord – Blackhead – Brighton Rd Year Round”
Concord – Information and Trips Library

1. 1/7/2015. All. Midwinter Dinner. Concord Tavern. E. Leaders: Elaine and Eric.

Well! Records set. At least for the tramp. 40! Yes, 40. And 50 for the meal. Much due, this reporter suspects, to the way Elaine crafted the walk’s publicity. Easy? Well, not altogether with a bit of a climb into Abbotsford maybe a bit hard for some.

First problem was to number the carpark’s milling crowd off, but Fred got it right by standing at the corner by the road. Elaine set off at a brisk pace down …

… the “Main South Road” (surely it’s time to name it the Old Main South Road), around the corner at the bottom and then level walking towards Green Island. Then a stop. Question time.

Date of motorway completion? Wow. Peter had the exact answer. 1974. Take a prize! Then on. Stop again, outside an imposing gateway. What do the initials IRMO stand for?

More knew the answer this time. A prize again. Onward. Stop – outside Harraways Office. Now a generous distribution …

… of complimentary Oats Singles packets. Take more than one. Onward again. Across rise where most recalled the railway line that once crossed the road. To collect coal from Saddle Hill once, someone said. Last stop, at the curly beginning of the impressive overhead footbridge, spanning Kaikorai Stream, the motorway, …

… bush, and finally the railway before turning right into Neill Street and left into Matthew Street, and second entrance on our left into a property with a wonderful back covered porch.

A further surprise. We were regaled with mulled wine or soup served in pottles with generous refills. (A recent email from Elaine says a further whole thermos of mulled wine got overlooked. – Damn, as she so feelingly put it.) Next, in through a door leading under the house to view …

.. a model train set.( This reporter can testify it was even more elaborate than any he saw at the recent display put on at Wobblies.) It was N gauge (9mm). Unfortunately, the owner didn’t have it going, lest he exposed himself to an embarrassing derailment. Too bad. It was capable of running two trains at once. There’s a wealth of ancillary detail also, all to scale. A close study will prove most rewarding! To this reporter, this is the engineering equivalent of close needlework.

After this wonderful surprise break, it was back down Matthew Street and away along Neill Street to our left to reach a hidden pedestrian underpass at the foot of Armstrong Lane …

… and to emerge onto a little path that skirted round to the foot of Harraway Road, across a Kaikorai Stream bridge, out onto the “Main South Road” and back to the Concord Tavern for the Dinner. Here we met with the non-walkers and filled an almost overcrowded dining room. Some of us neglected to pick our table first as we found we were supposed to (including this reporter) before we lined up at the servery to place our meal order, but waiters found us eventually and all was well.

Again, due to Elaine’s homework with her sponsors, there were little prezzies on the tables and under-the-seat tickets for rewards. What a girl she is!

So, thanks to Elaine and Eric for such an imaginative midwinter dinner function effort. Well done, to put it mildly. – Ian.

16/8/2000. Concord – Blackhead. Leaders: Les W, Diana and Ray.

26/5/1999 Concord from Tavern to Blackhead. Leaders: Jean, Ngaire, Bev McI.

19/5/1993 Concord Corner, Blackhead, Beach, Brighton Road, Allan Road, Green Island Bush Road. Round Trip. Leaders: Jack, Rosemary, Joyce I, Joyce S

23/9/1989 Concord Hills from Wine and Spirits carpark. Easy+ Leaders: George, Ria L, Pam, Ria H