Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

4. 17/04/2024 Bullring/ Ben Rudd/ Flagstaff Grade 2.5 Leaders: Mike and Dave

On a cloudless but slightly chilly morning 29 hikers assembled at the Bullring carpark on Flagstaff/Whare Flat Road where Sandra, a new member of the group was introduced and welcomed by Phil.

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.)

10 km from car park.

Distance from car-park to Doctors Point: 38 km.

17 km from car park.

14 kms PJP to cnr South Rd and Eastbourne St.

5. 27/09/2023 Hikers. Grade 2 Leaders: Jan and Jan

20 hikers set off from the old Carisbrook Hotel through the very run-down Caversham shopping area.  We had a couple of stops to look at a bit of the history of the area.  There were other points of interest, but with so much chatter going on, decided to give it a miss! We headed up South Road for a morning tea stop at a house belonging to Jan Y’s brother.  It is a large property extending right down to just above the main trunk railway line.  He has a stall at the Farmers Market every Saturday and has grown and propagated an extensive number of plants.  Also has numerous tunnel houses, a couple of fruiting tamarillo trees and an avocado tree.  He is a rockhound and there was a very large collection of rocks, crystals etc. on display.

Rocks and propagating Caption and photo Helen

Photo Helen

Photo Helen

Because there was so much to look at, the morning tea break was a bit longer than normal.  We carried on up South Road to the Carlton Hill area, then cut across a couple of streets and back down to Sidey Street where you got a good view of Corstorphine House.  From there we headed up a track which took us into the Kew area, with great views of Dunedin.

Top of steps gathering up Caption and photo Helen

Down through a steep set of steps (Killikrankie Pass – a cool name) and we ended up in a park at Forbury Corner for lunch.

Lunch. We were all scattered. Caption and photo Helen

Returned to the cars by crossing over the motorway on an overhead bridge, then walked down a path on the north side back to the cars.

On the overbridge Caption and photo Helen

It was a pleasant day with no wind, and we covered approx 8 kms, at quite a leisurely pace.  Several members of the group had lived in the vicinity of area covered so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for them.  Thanks to Jan and Pam who did a very enjoyable recce with me.  The Two Jans.

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Distance from car-park: 24 km.

11. 13/09/2023. Hikers. Delights of Macandrew Bay. Grade 2, $6, 24km, Leaders: Jenny Flack, Avis Williamson.

It was a reasonably pleasant September Spring Morning when 25 keen hikers gathered at Ralph Ham Park (The Muddy ) ready to tackle the ups & downs of the hidden pathways of Macandrew Bay.

On our way to discover the delights of Mac Bay (Photo & Caption Jenni)

We headed up Marine Parade to the first shortcut which took us rather steeply up to Marion St.

The hedge is along Marine Parade (Photo & Caption Adrienne)

We stopped to breathe & admire the harbour views, daffodils, magnolias, kowhai trees & tuis which only got better as we walked along Howard St & Barling St . The descent to the harbourside was quite steep but in no time we were at Glenfalloch enjoying morning tea.

Morning tea at Glenfalloch (Photo & Caption Jenny)

Morning Tea at Glenfalloch (Photo & Caption Adrienne)

No long rest allowed tho & we were soon returning along Marine Parade, admiring more gardens , taking a hidden path between the school & Portobello road. We snuck down the Pharmacy’s driveway & took the side entrance to the Macandrew Bay cemetery where we were soon checking out James Macandrew’s headstone in a hidden corner.

Morning tea at Glenfalloch – Adrienne

Heather leading the charge up Kellas Street (Photo & Caption Jenni)

Up Wharfdale St thro the shortcut to Mclelland St, a quick look at the windblown harbour then up Porterfield & the very steep Kellas St until everyone happily collapsed on the Flacks deck & enjoyed their lunch. After lunch we all safely descended the Track of Terror and then were treated to a garden tour at Judy & Greg Hawkers complete with chocolate chippie biscuits served by lovely 4 year old Georgie Hawker.

Amazing hospitality from the Hawker family (Photo & Caption Jenni)

Along Mclelland Street – Adrienne

Judy Hawker talking about her garden (Photo & Caption Jenny)

View from Jenny’s garden (Photo & Caption Adrienne)

The day was disappearing & afternoon tea at Glenfalloch was calling so while some paused at the Company Bay bus shelter the rest of us did a quick walk around the back of Company Bay & then all returned along the cycleway/ walkway to the cars.

This was my first trip as leader & I’d really like to thank my co-leader Avis for her help , also Jenni W & all the other walkers for their support & positive comments & my husband Trevor for woodchipping the paths to improve their safety .
Total distance covered 8km.
P.S. We all enjoyed a debrief at Glenfalloch. I did notice that it wasn’t only coffee & tea being consumed & somehow Alex managed to enjoy a free dessert !!
Jenny