Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ
No. 99 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Mt Charles Mr Neil Farm”.
27 km from car-park.
Click here to read about Cape Saunders Lighthouse and the two graves
Mt Charles, Cape Saunders – Information and Trips Library
12. 10/4/2024 Mt Charles Grade 4 Leaders: Graham and Carol Thurlow
28 trampers gathered at Allan’s Beach. Continue reading “Mt Charles, Cape Saunders, Puddingstone Rock, Allans Beach”
No. 24 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Lovers Leap – The Chasm – Sandfly Bay. N Strang. Farm. Year Round.” No. 73 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Sandymount – Lovers Leap. Year Round”.
29 km from car-park.
See Sandymount for area background information.
Sandymount closed for lambing Aug-Oct. Track unformed in places, grassy, slippery when wet. (See also article on pingao planting.)
25. 27/03/2024. Hikers. Sandymount Grade 2.5 Leaders: Jenni and Bruce Wright
13 trampers had a “Rock Day” beginning with rock music at Peter Johnson Park where athletic sports were about to start.No. 86 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Heyward Point – Melville’s Farm Farm”. 40 km from car park.
Hikers: Leaders Heather and Val Cayford‘Pathway to the Sea” – 7th February 2024 at 8.45am on a grey overcast morning with slight drizzle 15 hikers left Peter Johnstone Park and arrived at the small coastal settlement of Aramoana at approx. 9.45am – a peaceful place with 260 permanent residences as of 27th January 2024. Continue reading “Heyward Point, Kaikai Beach, Whareakeake Road”
No. 76 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Coutts Gully Return Sawmill Rd Farm”. Livingstonia Park distance from car-park: 32 km.
After welcoming a new hiker, Peter Dodds, twenty-four hikers left Livingstonia Park, about 9.30 am, heading to the left (east) to the sand dune track that led out to the road by the bridge and then headed up Sawmill Road to have morning tea beside the implement shed on Alan Gorton’s farm.
14. 24/01/2024. Trampers. Ship at Anchor. Grade 4.5. $14. Leaders: Phil Keene/
It was 10am before we set off walking, the group happily forgoing morning tea until we arrived 45 minutes later at the Chinese Diggings situated on the east bank of Deep Stream which was up a little following rain the prior day.
Mmm NZ Topo 50 is telling us we have to go west and will have to cross. The thought of this seemed to necessitate a continuous stream of walkers, single file, into the bushes. Thankfully they all came back and with a little help from our friends we all crossed, with wet feet and knees to the other side.
Thus began a steep ascent with a new pathway selected every few steps, not to mention the need for a breather at fairly short intervals!
The ascent was followed by steady to steep ridge-line walk keeping to the true left of a stream, before crossing over nearly at the head, and finally over the last brow of a hill to arrive after 2 hours from morning tea, of fairly serious tramping, at the Ship at Anchor;
thankfully we had not missed the boat and it provided good shelter along with the snow tussock from the fresh westerly that had been present all morning.
Our departure was not too long with those who had not previously been here circumnavigating the Ship and we all followed a course on the true right of the stream down another ridge-line, initially made ‘easy’ by a water course shaped I think by ancient shovels?
With the possibility of a precipice emerging in front our leader tacked left just in time onto another ridge that steeply descended towards a man made watercourse, scout Graham finding the appropriate gang plank onto the other side. It would be fair to say knees were now creaking as we traversed parallel with the contours dropping every now and then towards the crossing of Deep Stream. According to the leaders timepiece we took longer down than up, just like the Grand Olde Duke of York……oh dear!
If feet and knees were by now warm and dry they were wetted again and with all crossing safely we re-grouped and took off up the prairie back to the cars, this being quite a steady upland walk!
We departed paradise at 4.30pm arriving back in Mosgiel at 5.30pm. Rumour has it that the hydrotherapy pool has been busy since the trip, no wonder. The expansive and varied landscapes are so much more rewarding when set in such a remote and wild environment. Because of the access restrictions at the Weir this was the first time travel to the Ship at Anchor had been done this way. Distance 10.47km, elevation gain 661m, moving time 3:25;59, calories 1,016. And I’m sticking with grade 4.5.
Thanks to everyone for supporting each other so well.
Phil K
Continue reading “Ship at Anchor, Lammermoors, Deep Stream, Gold tailings, Mahinerangi”
No. 87 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Michelle’s Farm Outram Farm”.
11 km from car park.
Park under Outram Bridge. Contacts: Seek 3 permissions.
Proceed east side of Taieri River along gravel road to gravel pit. Bear right uphill to power lines. Follow generally along grass farm tracks to top of hill.
Landmarks: Trig marker on right; also obvious paper road between two fence lines; Long barn on right (good for lunch stop); large wool shed on top of hill straight ahead (this is still on Hyslop’s property).
Straight on access is to Taioma Road but we don’t usually go that far!
Plenty of mushrooms in April – take a bag!
After ascending a narrow track through scrub we made our way along a ridge on Craig Nichol’s property. Any conversation was ‘gone with the wind’. To quote Evel Knievel “ I love the feeling of fresh air on my face and wind blowing through my hair” – certainly true today!
We decided not to go to the trig – the howling wind spoke to us and we found our way down to a pocket of native bush. The relative calm here was a welcome respite from the punishing wind on the hill top.
Walking roughly parallel to SHW 87 we headed back towards Outram. Thank you farmer Neil for herding a mob of cattle out of our path.
Throwing caution to the wind we walked through a Douglas fir plantation, then a large stand of eucalyptus – fortunately there were few recently dropped branches! The only reportable incident was Diane being blown backwards whilst pivoting on a gate – luckily she was caught by the two behind her ( I rue a missed photo opportunity!)
A nice hill climb took us to wide track Craig recently had dug out back down to the Taieri river, and we were at the cars by 3.00 pm.
A great day out and many thanks to Julie McKenzie and Pam Cox for your assistance.
Distance walked – 13.5 km
Jill Reid
After a “Pow Wow” at top, decision was made to head back on shorter route to cars which also allowed time for refreshments and catch up at Wobbly Goat. A good day to start off the tramping calendar after all the lock downs I really enjoyed it. Gordon.
A short back track and then it was downhill on a farm road in the direction of S.H.87. Nearing the bottom we turned aside, and climbing a barbwire fence (the leader having thoughtfully fitted a pipe safety guard) …
Heading down into Walmsley’s farm gully. (Gordon pic and caption.)… found ourselves in a rough gorsey block.
Emerging once more onto open farmland it was time for a leisurely lunch in the sun, and still with a view to enjoy.
Afterwards we negotiated a paddock or two before entering an exotic forest to climb back up somewhat. In time we retained the turnip field to eventually finish the last leg back on our outward track.
Back to the cars at 2pm after walking over 13 km was good going.
To Outram where some visited the ice cream shop, others to the Hairy Goat – where all eventually congregated. And no one was in a hurry to go home. A day that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
This report comes to you on behalf of Gordon (leader). – Art.
Waihola Area – Information and Trips Library Post
2. 2 August 2023. Combined. Waihola Hill and Lawlor Farm M Leaders: Anne, Lynne, Jenni and Barbara
The weather didn’t look too bad at seven in the morning so the decision was made for the tramp to go ahead. Some of the Hikers and Trampers at Peter Johnson Park decided to give the tramp a swerve and go swimming at Te Puna instead of going out in the winter elements.
Sixteen very brave Hikers and Trampers arrived at Baker Road, Waihola to walk around Brendan Lawlor’s property. Brendan has developed a 28 section subdivision after he purchased the farm in 2005. Most of the sections apart from two now have been built on. Brendan has made a track around the lake for people to enjoy the views and birdlife.
After we arrived the weather was changing for the worse, so we decided to head to the implement shed to have morning tea.
Once there was a break in the weather we reluctantly left the shelter and headed up the hill to walk the track. We all had our wet weather gear on and at times hard to tell who was actually walking beside you. Walking around the lake was so different from the last time. When we had a blue sky day and the lake was like a millpond.
There has been a huge planting project around the front of the lake with lots of native trees and grasses all with protective covers to deter rabbits pigs and possums.
The track in some places was very slippery and muddy due to pig rooting and also a very wet July/August.
We saw moments of blue sky but down to the south the sky was black and at times we had strong winds and driving rain.
Halfway around the circuit we all gathered together and took shelter in the farm building then made a dash for the vehicles. A decision was made to have our lunch at the Baker Road farm buildings then head home with no walk on the new Clutha Gold Trail or a coffee at the Black Swan café
Distance 6.48km
1. 2 March 2022. Combined. Waihola Hill and Lawlor Farm. M Leaders: Jill Reid, Chris Wither Jenni & Bruce Wright
A fine morning saw 43 hikers and trampers make their way to the Lawlor property behind Lake Waihola. After regrouping at Waihola, and about 33km from the Mosgiel carpark, we turned right into Lake Road, left into Young Road, right into Berwick Road and right into Baker Road to park at the cattle yards there.
Brendan Lawlor welcomed everyone and described the mechanics of developing the 28-section subdivision since they purchased the farm in 2005. There is also an 1880s restored cottage on the farm.
Trampers and hikers set off together about 9:45 and made their way up the road and across a paddock to join a track, mown by Brendan, on the lake side of the fence in front of the subdivision. There was little wind and the lake views were gorgeous.
About 10:30 we stopped for morning tea together along the track.
25 trampers headed away first. A comment was made that the trampers left the morning tea stop true to form. “They were off like a bride’s nightie”.
Both groups, at their different speeds, enjoyed views towards the wetlands before turning inland to make their way through the farm and back along the road past the old cottage and new homes to the cars.
18 hikers enjoyed their lunch by a barn on the way and arrived back at the cars about 2:00 having covered around 8km.
The trampers enjoyed their lunch by the cars before making their way up Waihola Hill at 1:00. Their route first took them up a gully [opposite the Waihola Wildlife Management Reserve sign] near the start of Baker Road. They were then able to follow a 4WD track that wound around the hill.
When the trig on top of Waihola Hill came into sight the group turned uphill to appreciate the 360-degree views from there.
Then it was back to continue following the 4WD track to water tanks and back down the hill to return to the cars by 2:30.
The Trampers covered about 13km.
Thank you for the many great photos that were submitted to go with this report.
Chris
No. 79 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Quoin Pt – Bull Creek – Farmland (see George) Farm”
16. 1/2/2023. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Combined. Leaders Bruce, Alex, Helen and Phil.
RAMBLERS, HIKERS and TRAMPERS report.
On a calm morning 33 keen, happy members drove up Law road and along the coast through Akatore to Quoin Point road, driving a couple of kms down to the wool shed. At 10am 6 Ramblers headed off to enjoy their day, leaving 27 to hike to Bull Creek.
We walked down through paddocks to the rocks where we had smoko.
(In 2014 we tried to count the pod of seals both big and small), however, today we only spotted a couple along the way. As well as 4 leaders, we had markers still in place from the Tokomairiro High school trail bike fundraiser held a couple of weeks ago guiding us. The paddocks were dry and nice to walk on. With lots of gates to open/close, amazing coastal scenery, gullies with native bush, 3 old farm houses and a couple of creeks to cross. 2 hours of hiking then came to a standstill at the now fenced off access to Bull Creek. Even with 2 stiles to cross over, their was not a track to be found. We back-tracked a short distance and found our way down. 3 Members decided on a bit of bush bashing, 2 were through in no time———then through came Doug (our 90 year old) with a grin, having enjoyed his scramble!!
To save getting wet feet, a most enjoyable, sociable and scenic lunch was had by all on the rocks, before you cross the creek to the iconic kiwi cribs from 12:00 to 1:00.
Then it was time to head back the way we came, arriving to the cars at 3pm. 2 cars travelled down the Taieri Beach road through pine forest (a new road for some) while the others down the more scenic road to the Black Swan Waihola for Coffee.
As always another happy outing covering about 12 kms. I think it is really important having the combined monthly hike, walking, talking and catching up with our hikers and ramblers.
BULL CREEK
Different theories on how Bull Creek got its name. From a fictional character called John Bull, to the Otago Witness’ report in 1904 of the story of a wild Bull meeting a grisly end in the area, with the bull’s head later being hung on the wall of “Bulls Cottage”
The 42 or so cribs are spread over about 4ha and have their own 35 year lease, set up some years ago with the then land owners.
Eleanore, Helen, Bob and Jannette
14. 4/4/2018. Both. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. M. Leaders: Ian, Arthur and Bob.
The day was fine when twenty-seven of us started down from a busy shearing shed at the end of Quoin Point Road to morning-tea down by the Quoin Point rocks. Both we and a multitude of inquisitive young seals were amazed at the sight of each other.
Ten trampers set off first, closely followed by eleven Hikers…
… leaving seven Ramblers behind to enjoy a more leisurely walk, which they took as far as the first house, returning along the beaches before having to regain the paddocks. They got back to the cars at 1.15 p.m.
The trampers arrived at Bull Creek …
.. in time to get round to including the picnic area and the Bull Creek Bush Walk.
The Hikers, with their much later arrival, (their walk enriched however with much mushroom-picking) had time only to get through their lunch
before the low-tide’s turn prompted getting back across the creek.
13. 30/7/2014. Trampers. Quoin Point to Bull Creek.
12. 5/3/2014 Both. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Leaders: Lex and Peter.
11. 13/2/2013 Trampers. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. (9)
Although a souwester was very strong at times it was good tramping weather.
A feature of the tramp at its end was the discovery of a very flat battery in Ian F’s car, whose parking lights had been accidentally knocked on and left for 5 hours! With an AA call-out rescue, we got all got home by teatime. – Ian.
10. 2/6/2010. Both. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Leaders: George and Dot.
9. 23/12/2009. Trampers. Ken and George. Quoin Point to Bull Creek.
8. 4/4/2007. All. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Easy+. Leaders: George, Hazel, Eleanor B, Joyce S
7. 1/3/2006 All. Quoint Point, Bull Creek. Easy. Leaders: Dot B, Glenis, Frank & Lesley
6. 6/4/2005. Both. Quoin Point. Leaders: Hazel, Dot B, Anne R, Colleen.
5. 22/1/2003. Both. Quoin Point, Bull Creek. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Bill and Pat, Denise.
Of the 28 people that commenced the walk 23 made it to the Micro Wave Station where 3 sheltered in the lee of station while the remainder had a further brisk walk on the access road before returning an hour later for the lunch stop.
Conditions made for lunch to be brief, because of the chilling wind.
The downhill return on this working farm took us among a variety of animals, including some black & white horses, & after a short gallop, they could be seen looking over the ridge at what had come among them.
Thank you, Sarah & Barbara, for your assistance. It was unfortunate that Barbara could not be with us on the day. The social stop was at the Wobbly Goat on the return to Mosgiel.
Betty & Jim
But sadly the interior had been badly neglected, birds obviously had been the only tenants for some years past.
One long hill awaited us – the climb out from Orbells Creek. The hill seemed to go on forever, but by putting one foot in front of the other, we found the top. But our legs were mighty tired now, and there was only a few hundred metres left to go. And so we arrived back at the Bendoran Hilton …
… just before 5 p.m. A good list down and rest seemed to be the logical thing to do now, so that’s what we did!
All five had thoroughly enjoyed the day. An energetic tramp to equal any other that our club has done. VERY SATISFYING.
11. 8/3/2017. Trampers. The Gap, and ABC Caves. M. Leaders: Arthur and Eleanor.
After a one and a half hour drive from Mosgiel, we arrived at Bendoran Huts. David Malloch the station owner arrived to welcome us and give us a brief history of the 5000 acre property.
Us with David Malloch. (Helen pic and caption.)
After unpacking and eating lunch, we walked in a cool s.w. wind, overcast with a few skiffs of showers to Mount Misery @ 714 metres.
Eleanor on Mt Misery. (Arthur pic and caption.)
A great view for those brave enough to tackle the wind on such a rocky peak. From there we ventured onto “Terry’s Knob” (refer Hamel’s book page 7:13), …
Terrys Knob. (Arthur pic and caption.)
… before returning to Bendoran for drinks and muffins. After lighting up the coal range to heat the water and apple crumble, we then enjoyed home baked Chicken, vege’s and salad. Next job was firing up the open fire, sitting round chatting for the evening.
Before 8.30am next morning we were up and away tramping in ideal conditions for 3 hours to the “Gap” @ 670 metres.
The Gap from morning tea stop. (Arthur pic and caption.)
After numerous photo shots of surrounding valleys, peaks, ranges and the trig, we then headed down onto a new track, where after a lunch stop, we approached the A.B.C. Caves.
Helen Janine & Eleanor at abc caves. (Arthur pic and caption.)
After a challenging tramp, we were impressed by the cave interior, …
From in ABC cave. (Helen pic and caption.)
… but were disappointed the “visitors book” left no room for our claims to reaching this monumental milestone! We then had to return steeply uphill a little before bush-bashing a track across a gully to join back onto our original track, leading us back to our cosy “Bendoran home”.
Bendoran where we stayed. (Arthur pic and caption.)
Arriving back @ 4.15pm, we found 2 members (who returned without going to A.B.C. Cave) had the coal range going with the kettle boiling for drinks and a HOT shower!! All fresh and clean again, we dined …
Dinner. (Helen pic and caption.)
… in front of the open fire on beef casserole, new potatoes, peas and salad, followed by brownie and peaches—-not your average tramping food, and certainly above standard accomodation.
It was an exceptional tramping trip for Arthur, Neil, Carol, Helen, Janine and Eleanore, with new tracks and experiences for some of the party. – Janine and Eleanor.
10. 25/3/2015. Trampers. ABC Cave from Bendoran Huts.
On a day when the weather was a bit suspect, we arrived at the Bendoran Huts to see fog in the valleys, but clear around the tops. Because of the distance travelled to get there, we decided to have a late morning tea break,…
Late morning tea stop. (Ken pic and caption)
…at one of the high points on the track. After this, we walked around the road [farm track] to a point at the head of the valley leading to ABC cave, where we arrived for a late lunch in sunshine.
After lunch we more or less retraced our steps back to the cars, with a couple of refreshment stops on the way.
The day turned out ideal for tramping, with just a trace of breeze at times, a little bit of sunshine for lunch, & the temperature just right, & the fog actually lifted during the day.
Next time we do this, it would be a good idea to start early, as it’s a long way to drive, & the road in is all narrow gravel. – Ken.
9. 8/5/2013 Trampers. ABC Cave from Bendoran Huts.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken. We walked 13.6km, 4hrs moving, 2hrs stopped, total ascent 839mtrs, max elevation 701mtrs.
There have been MANY new tracks bulldozed in around the area, making it very difficult to know which track to take. The original idea was to go to the Gap, & then down to the ABC cave, but we were running out of time, due to the distance travelling there, getting held up for about 1/4 hr by a very large mob of sheep with no sign of humans or dogs anywhere. Plus as we didn’t know where to go, we ended up bush-bashing our way down a ridge on the top side of the bush, as you can see by the Google pic. We eventually got down to the DOC track leading between the GAP & ABC, so just carried on to ABC, had a quick drink/snack, & left there at just on 2pm. Then we struggled up another ridge that was a lot clearer than the one we had came down, but it was steep, & it took us an hour to reach the top. From there, it was a relatively easy walk back to the 4wd track that we had left to go down past the bush. One or two of the climbs on the track back to the car were certainly a bit ‘trying’, but we all made it back to the cars OK, & after the drive back to town, got home at just after 6pm.
George didn’t go down the ridge to the cave, so he sheltered for a while, then wandered back to the cars, leaving suitable signs that he had passed that way. There were 7 of us in the group, one of whom was heard to say on the way in, “you think this group is a serious walking group?” so by the end of the day when I asked if they still didn’t think we were a serious walking group, the answer was ” that was a serious walk”. – Ken.
8. 22/2/2010. Trampers. ABC Cave from Bendoran Huts.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken.
It had been many years since any of us had done this tramp, and memories were hazy. So much so, that we parked the cars at the end of Blucher Road, mistaking the shearing shed location there for the actual Bendoran Huts site about six kms further on. So we walked the farm 4WD route to the huts, instead of driving it!
A hut ruin on the route. The fog was round us all the way. But it was dry! A fog, not a mist, as one of us distinguished.
An pic of interest on the way.
Lunch across from one of the Bendoran huts. (Ken pic)
Lunch in lee of the hut. (Ken pic)
6. 19/1/2011. Trampers. Lamb Hill to three o’clock creek. Old Stone Hut. Orbells Cave. Medium+.
We all decided it would be no fun climbing round and up Mary Hill with frequent showers and a bitterly cold wind.
On the way back we briefly stopped at Sinclair Wetlands then drove into Berwick Camp, a year 8 class was there on camp, talked with the Activity Coordinator and strolled up to the dam.
It was plain to see what fun the young students were having, particularly when having a turn driving round with a leader in an old converted type of Land Rover in the mud.
So after all this strenuous activity we journeyed on to eat lunch (and cake) at a little hilltop cafe in Clyde street. – Eleanore.
4. 31/5/2017. Hikers. Green Island street walk. E. Leaders: Elaine and Chris.
The above route map gives some indication of the intricacies of Elaine’s planned route, designed to cross and recross, by way of tunnels and bridges galore, the barriers of railway line, stream and motorway dividing Green Island from Abbotsford. It was a street-walk, most suitable on the day for an off-and-on light morning drizzle. We were treated to a whole gamut of lower Abbotsford house designs, most instructive of fashions favoured in different decades, complete with one or two older ones looking very old and very neglected. At the latter part of the hike, we also got to peek into some of the large industrial goings-on at the north end of the town, not least Harraways. All most impressive.
At one point where a railway line once crossed the old main road (remember it?), Elaine stopped us to point out how it once served a coal-mine of her grandfather. She has a photo of a small steam engine about to head north across the road.
Many were the remarks appreciative of the cleverness of the route. A big thank you to Elaine and Chris for a great day out. – Ian, (for Elaine [without her knowledge – yet!] whose recent rapidly failing eyesight prevented her from tackling a report.)
No. 93 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Murrays Farm – Sandymount (Chris Hughes) Farm”
It was a foggy, misty morning when 19 Hikers met at the gateway bel0w Murrays Farm before ambling up the road to having morning tea in the implement shed.
We then followed the fenceline up and across the paddocks before descending to explore around a container being used as a crib.
We exited onto the coast …
… where we had lunch …
… out of the northerly wind.
We followed the water’s edge around past the old boat shed, climbing up the hill and visiting an old dwelling also being used as a crib and back along the farm tracks to the hole in the hedge and down the hill to the cars.
Coffee was at Macandrew Bay cafe. – Shona and Keith.
An eye- and nose-watering wind greeted us when we stepped out of our cars at Hoopers Inlet. It was not a time for hanging around so our group of 13 set off at a brisk trot and soon reached the shelter of a shed which provided a good spot for morning tea.
Fuelled by hot drinks we ventured on and found that the hills and gullies gave good protection and we could enjoy this stroll through beautiful, peaceful countryside with the only other signs of life nearby the large number of paradise ducks. Perhaps they had discovered this place to be a refuge from duck shooters. In the distance sheep grazed and black cattle eyed us with interest.
We found our way down to the beach and a sheltered corner at the far end provided a comfortable lunch spot.
Margaret’s sortie into the sand dunes also brought to our notice a young seal hidden away under the lupins. We retraced our steps admiring the expansive views of the inlet and the winter colours on the hills.
It had been a short walk but a very pleasant country ramble.
Chris, who knows the area well, ably led us and, before returning home, some of us were lucky enough to stop off with her at a relative’s house on the hill and walk around the interesting garden, admiring both the plants and the panoramic views. – Marjorie.
A goodly number of thirty Trampers and Hikers, as you can see from the GPS map, set off back alongside the road we had arrived in, the Leaders searching for one of several elusive ridges, each separated by bushed gullies and leading down to a main gully at their foot. However, due to their number (six in total!) and too tentatively choosing one ridge too soon but finding it too stunted to be the one, we ended up turning back (about 0.7 kms on GPS map) instead of going on, and descending the ridge futher back only to be forced to have to climb out of the gully beyond its foot (red spot about 1.4 kms on GPS map) and up onto the one originally planned on. By now it was time for morning tea. (Sorry about the lack of photos – we didn’t have John and his camera with us this time.)
On down the right gully now this time and into the main one across its foot, left skirting its side and crossing at a bridge and struggling up the slope directly ahead. (Red spots about 1.6 kms on GPS map.) Then it was on, up to our left, climbing gradually for the most part, through a number of paddocks and gates, until by various turns we reached what appeared a paper road. (About 3.7 kms on GPS map.) This formed a long ascending route to the point where we turned into a paddock again. (About 5.8 kms on the GPS map.) En route, we met up with the Neeehoff farm’s neighbouring owner. He reassured us he had been consulted, but it now became apparent that we had spent more time on his farm than the other! Ah well, another permission to prudently seek next time. It was in the new paddock that the mushroom pickers got really busy. There had been some mushrooms in the first paddocks, but here their number appeared endless. This led to a prolonged hunt by the aficionados while most went on to stop for lunch not too distant from one particular loiterer who shall remain unnamed. (6.1 kms on the GPS map.) Some great mushroom fry-ups would be on the menu that evening!
Around the head of the gully facing the luncheon eaters, we descended to the big gully again, but here bridgeless, with its water-way just a step (or more in some places) too wide. Many just plunged through, but the tail on the GPS map indicates a walk upstream for the few patient enough to wait to be led to the only dry one-step crossing. (About 6.7 kms on the GPS map.) From there we had to walk back along to our left and the corner of a paddock ahead, and wait for leader Arthur to switch off the hot wire of what we now knew to be the Neehoff boundary fence. (About 6.9 kms on the GPS map.) Once through the fence, ahead lay the long steep slog up the longest and principle of all those six ridges leading back up again, – also the nearest to the homestead. (Kms 7 and 8 on the GPS map.) Now we were back up onto the original paddock and soon back to the cars.
Well, this was one of the now controversial “both” walks, set down for Trampers to join with Hikers the first Wednesdays of the months. It was moderately hard only in respect to the steep climbs out of the gullies. But not particularly long or challenging. There were happily more Trampers than there had been recently, generously tolerating the slower pace of the Hikers for the sake of “Recreational” togetherness and getting to know fellow-club members better. Perhaps the emerging arrangement of this along with a track-clearing option on the same day, is becoming a way through of providing a flexibility of choice for Trampers to exercise in accordance with their own preference. – Ian
20/2/2013. Trampers. Neehoff Farm, Hindon.