No. 93 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Murrays Farm – Sandymount (Chris Hughes) Farm”
Distance for carpark: 31.5 km.
Map supplied by the owner. (Keith pic.)
11. 29/3/2017. Hikers. Murrays Farm. M. Leaders: Keith and Shona.
Route map, courtesy Ian.
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.
George investigates shower workings on new crib. (Ian pic and caption.)
We exited onto the coast …
We discover a new route from paddock to beach. (Eleanor W. pic.)
… where we had lunch …
Papanui Inlet mouth beach for lunch. (Ian pic and caption.)
… 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.
10. 20/2/2013. Hikers. Murrays Farm. Medium. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
Morning Tea at old homesteadParadise Ducks in formationWaiting for others in shelter from the hot sun
9. 7/12/2011. Both. Murrays Farm. Medium.
GPS courtesy Ken. Track from distant spot anti-clockwise.
Comfort plus for morning tea. (Ken pic and caption)
Five trampers scaled the almost vertical ascent to the Sandymount road before descending further by the bush.
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.
Sheltered lunch spot
We found our way down to the beach and a sheltered corner at the far end provided a comfortable lunch spot.
Seal among the lupins
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.
6. 27/6/2007 Leaders:
Group. Ian, Leonie, George, Tash, Pat, Hazel, Ria.
5. 1/2/2006. All. Murrays Farm, Hoopers Inlet. Leader: Chris.
4. 5/3/2003. All. Murray Farm. Leaders: Chris, Les and Margaret, Bev McI.
1. 22/3/2017. Flood bank walk from Otokia to Allanton. E. Leaders: Lester and Ian.
Route Map, Flood Bank Otokia to Allanton, courtesy Clive.
This flood bank walk from Otokia to Allanton was a first for the Club. It was Lester’s idea, with his knowledge of the Taieri River plain, to vary from the programmed regular one from Allanton to Outram.We had to car-shuttle. We parked our cars on a property at the end of Otokia East Road, by kind permission of a grandson of Dr Alex Luke. The weather was mild. We climbed onto the flood bank. 25 of us were away.
The Taieri River at Otokia. (Clive pic and caption.)
Lester had arranged for us to have morning tea in Mrs Mason’s attractive woodland property, which although alongside Centre Road was still a paddock or two distant from the flood bank on the day. How to get there? The leaders hadn’t worked that out. Barb wire fences in way as we moved on, looking for a way through. None. But who’s this? Mrs Mason hurrying across the paddocks to us, wondering why we hadn’t turned up. Lester went back to talk to her while we waited, but this writer is ignorant of what transpired. Oh dear!
Too late now. So a stop on the flood bank instead.
Morning tea on the stop bank at Otokia. (Clive pic and caption.)
Many gates on the way made for frequent stopping, opening and closing. Along with the level terrain. these rest opportunities enabled everyone to complete the distance.
The lunch stop at Lenny Miller’s worked out more happily. On a lawn! A close-knit hedge sheltered us from a cool wind that had come up from behind us.
Lunch on lawn, courtesy Lenny Miller. (Ian pic and caption.)
Then it was on to Allanton. The leaders had warned about long grass to wade through, but as it turned out a top-dresser truck had just preceded us on that morning, and flattened an easy route for us instead.
Looking North along the stop bank towards Saddle Hill. (Clive pic and caption.)
So we reached the Allanton Bridge. Distance being 7.75 km by Nike app or 8.9 km by a steps app. But here, a second reece neglect. The leaders had not checked whether there was a gate available across the road to enable continuing along the flood to the sale yards. Discussion. Eventually it was decided to walk down, under the bridge back up on the other side. Apparently there was some electric fencing to encounter. This writer, being a driver, was driven back to collect his car and meet up with his passengers at the sale yards. From there, we went on to ‘coffee’ at the Topiary Cafe. – Ian.
30. 22/2/2017. Hikers. Whare Flat. Leaders: Peter D, Janice.
Whare Flat/McRaes Weir (not quite) Wednesday 22nd Feb
26 happy hikers on a lovely sunny morning – what could go wrong?
Seven opted to drive up to the locked gate on Rollinson Rd and walk on to the start of the Steve Amies Track, where they enjoyed a pleasant amble to the picnic area and a leisurely lunch in the sun, before returning to the cars and off to Topiary for the usual coffee stop.
Little did they know of the drama that was developing below….
The other 19 left the cars at the park near the pump house, and set off up the track on the steep grunt that takes longer but avoids the water crossing and the possibility of wet feet.
However, Ian opted to do the shorter, easier version, risking wet boots, and meeting us in the clearing just past the swing bridge.
Ian reached the clearing safely and with plenty of time. In his own words –
’Ho hum. Oh! Time to get out the puffer and see how it might get me up the next climb and manage to avoid that first 5 min. heavy breathing before the blood vessels adjust and let me get away. Bummer.
(I had not used it for ever so long as usually I remember when it’s too late to use. It’s worked well on earlier occasions, but not in this case, standing, waiting, for such a long time before climbing.)
Started to feel faint. Got worse. Lay down, ended looking like a wee gnome in the grass, as one of you said. The rest you know better than I do!!!’
So, here was Ian, looking worse by the minute. While he was attended to by those with medical experience, we debated the options.
Cell phone call for help. No signal.
Use the locator beacon. Was there enough room for a chopper to land? Debatable.
Go back to the cars and phone for an ambulance.
It seemed at this point that Ian was recovering – his colour was better and he was lucid. Two people set off for the cars. Over the swing bridge and just past the gate to the road they realised the house on the right was occupied. But no landline and still no cell phone coverage. The wonderful lady (who had a key to the gate!) drove them out to the cars. One went on to get coverage and call for help. The other returned, to find that Ian’s condition had worsened, necessitating CPR. Gulp. Back down the road – kind lady again drove. The police car was met at the (un)locked gate and immediately radioed URGENT to the ambulance.
Things happened fast. In just over an hour from Ian’s collapse the ambulance was at the swing bridge and Ian was stabilised and stretchered across the bridge, and off to A & E.
It was now 11.30 and we were all rather shell-shocked. Five decided to call it a day. Two went to break the news to Shirley, and the other three heading home.
The remaining 13 headed up the track to the next clearing where a very sober lunch was had. Then up the track we climbed to McRaes Weir Track. It was decided that the weir could wait for another day, and we headed back along the race track to the road and down to the cars, with rain starting to fall and the track becoming muddy and slippery.
Coffee at Topiary was welcome!
Thanks to everyone for the able assistance that was provided in so many ways. Ian is fine – he had a reaction to the ‘puffer’ and after tests and checks, was allowed home that evening.
LESSONS LEARNED:
IF for any reason the group SPLITS, there must be at least TWO PEOPLE and preferably FOUR so that in the event of an emergency, one can stay with the ‘victim’, and two go for help. The same should apply to anyone deciding to turn back and in future this needs to be enforced by the leader.
In a later debrief with Police, we were praised for the efficient handling of the situation. However, they said that we should never hesitate to use the beacon because a few precious minutes could be saved. On the beacon signal, our precise position is shown and authorities can then make the decision as to which services to use. So in future, no hesitation! Better a false alarm than a death.
29. 1/5/2013 Both. Steve Amies. Leaders: Ian and George.
This time we left from the schoolhouse, making it more of a road walk. We had morning tea on the lower Rollinson Rd and lunch in the track clearers’ picnic area, after inspecting the helicopter landing pad a little beyond.
As we returned down the road, we were surprised to see the helicopter, and shortly after the tank truck making their way towards where we had been. Apparently this was the day to carry out the weed spraying we had been notified about – and we were now making a timely exit. A tramp for 25 of us and of 10.5 km according to Peter’s pedometer and 25. – Ian.
Plan 1: Swampy to Green Hill via Sleepy Hollow. Cold winds too fierce on tops.
Plan 2. Schoolhouse, Little Coal Creek, Steve Amies. But wet weather meant steep tracks would be too slippery and dangerous.
Plan 3. The actual tramp (see above). – Racemans level and safer, (except for the gradual Tunnels ascent/descents). However wet tree roots still had to be carefully negotiated.
Although rain for a start, but it soon went off and only drippy bush had to be endured. Track still muddy in places, but in many places a grand avenue and well cleared. Seven of us ventured out and enjoyed what looked at first to have been an unpromising day. – Ian.
GPS of route. Courtesy, Ken. (Route double-tracked for some inexplicable reason.)
12.33 p.m. Ready to return from lunch spot on Racemans.
2.23 p.m. Top of Tunnels track. Rest stop on pine-needles on return.
6. 23/10/1996. Trig Q. Average. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Doug J.
5. 7/6/1995Trig Q from Whare Flat School. Medium+. Shorter trip available. Leaders: Bob H, George, Jack R, Nancy
5. 18/1/2017. Hikers. Moores Bush – Sullivan’s Dam. E. Leaders: Bev and Lesley.
Route map, Courtesy Ian. (Ignore straight line.) Moore’s Bush on Thomson Rd, Loop Track, Leith Valley Rd, Sullivans Dam circuit, lunch, return by Leith Valley Rd.Morning tea at entrance to Moore’s Bush. (Ian pic and caption.)DoC sign. (Ian pic and caption.)
4. 19/9/2012. Hikers. Moores Bush, Sullivans Dam. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie
3. 17/2/2010 Hikers. Thompson Rd, Moores Bush, Leith Valley Rd, Sullivan’s Dam, Leith Valley Rd. Leaders: Bev, Leslie.
Good day to start with but got rather cold by lunch time. However, 12 keen hikers enjoyed a very pleasant, but shortish, day out. What a wonderful little forest Moore’s Bush is. Where is Moore’s Bush, you ask? Ascend the Leith Valley road out of Dunedin and take a left turn into Thompsons Road, and not far along is the entrance, signposted but fenced, to this Forest and Bird Society property.
Just a short walk to the entrance of Moores Bush for our morning tea and then off we went through the bush. Track rather overgrown and we had to wade through Leith Stream to get to the exit but everyone was interested to see Moores bush and check out what work had been done by the Forest and Bird Soc., over the years. We didn’t see much “bird”, but we loved the “forest”, with some grand Rimu trees, lots of mature Fuchsia, a Big Red Beech, many mature Lancewoods, heavy undergrowth, and more recent plantings of Totara, Rimu
Young Rimu planted at Moore’s Bush.
and smaller trees and shrubs. Little streams wound through it and also the Leith, which we crossed, most getting wet feet etc, except for Bob who found a fallen branch bridge, and stayed dry, much to the disgust of the others.
Leith Stream running through Moore’s Bush.
Leslie, who led, with Bev, had an old information leaflet about the reserve which spoke of the area as being perhaps the best piece of bush in the greater Dunedin area. It is certainly not large, but it is a gem. There is even a long-drop-lodge near the start if you need it!!
We exited again onto the Leith Valley Road. From there it was up the road to Sullivans Dam with a very pleasant walk round the dam to find a sheltered spot on the motorway side for our lunch as it had turned quite cold. We admired the birdlife on the ‘lake’ and the unusual North Island Cabbage Tree planting. Then it was back down the Leith Valley Rd to the cars. While it was not a long walk, it was varied and satisfying for the 12 people most of whom were discovering new territory. – Bev and Bob. (Amalgamation of two reports. Thank you, Bev and Bob. – Editor)
2. 5/6/2002. Combined. Patmos Avenue, Pigeon Flat, Moore’s Bush. Medium. Leaders: Nancy, Barbara and Arthur, Barbara McC
1. 3/5/2000. Patmos Avenue, Leith Saddle, Moore’s Bush. This incorporates and longer and shorter walk. Starting together. Leaders: Nancy, Pat and Bill.
7/12/2016. Belleknowes. E. Leaders: Lester and Peter B.
Route Map, Belleknowes, courtesy Ian. 15 Hikers. York Pl, Town Belt, Alison Cr, Michie St, Bellevue St, Hart St, Highgate, Cuppa, Delta St, Beta St, Epsilon St, Gamma St, Beta St, Accessway, Belgrave Cr,Highgate, Falcon St. lunch in playground park, Highgate, Kilgour St, Leven St, Braid St,York St. Coffee at Green Island.
The walk was short but far from lacking in interest. First surprise was at the bend at the extreme top corner of York Place where it turns sharply down into Russell Street. Behold, a path through the Town Belt, leading across Queens Drive into Alison Crescent. Here on our right was a gully of seriously shaded houses each reachable only by a wooden bridge across the ditch.
Further on. Houses in the Greek-letter-named streets of Delta, Beta, Epsilon and Gamma (where was Alpha?) were notable for well-maintained three and four groupings of identical designs, (one group even with finials), and strikingly, as the street curved around, so did the house alignments, parlours strictly front-facing, regardless of where the sun struck them. Of course nothing new, but made obvious by the similar wooden buildings.
An interesting Accessway between Delta Street and Belleview Crescent was new to us. Knowledgeable ones among us said this was part of an old cable car route.
Red ticketed power pole. (One of two supporting large transformer.) Corner of the Accessway. (Ian pic and caption.)
We lunched early (11.20 a.m!) in a light drizzle in a hidden playground reserve off Falcon Street. It had the longest stainless steel slide down a steep slope the writer has seen. How on earth was present day Health and Safety permission for it obtained, one wonders. Sadly it was far too wet on this occasion for any of us to give it a go.
We were struck by some grand house and gardens along Highgate. Lester pointed out where the original owners had built houses for their servants down a side street. In one case, (Kilgour St?), built as they were on a steep falling away slope, they required small bridges from street path to front door. Goodness only knows what Health and Safety requirements (as too in the Alison Street bridges) they would be obliged to meet today. One couldn’t help reflecting today on the contrast between our own land-owning gentry class, of which we are part, and that of the thousands of New Zealanders unable to access even basic decent accommodation, with winter on the horizon.
Renfrew House, Highgate. (Ian pic and caption.)Lovely house and garden. Leven St. (Ian pic and caption.)
Anyway, enough of that. An interesting return trip down Braid Street through an extensive bit of the Town Belt soon got us back to the cars.
As noted at the beginning of the report, the ‘tramp’ was short but full of previously unexplored interesting gems. Our thanks to Lester and Peter for searching it out. – Ian.
17. 5/10/2016. Hikers. Millennium-John Bull; Taieri Ferry to Taieri Mouth. Bus at both ends. M. Leaders: Bob and Doug.
Map of route. 3.3km ferry bridge to Wardell cottage; about 5km to seat; about 3km to track end; about half km to bus at T.M. bridge.
Millennium Track – combined trip Wednesday 5th October 2016-10-05
A dampish morning did not deter 40 intrepid club members who boarded the bus at the Bush Rd car park promptly at 9am. Packs were stowed in the luggage compartment and our driver Richard transported the happy crew out to Highway 1 and along to Henley and the start of the track – well, almost the start. 24 hikers disembarked in persistent light rain and trudged along the road for 45 minutes to a morning tea stop on the veranda of the white house just over the style, at the true beginning of the track.
The remaining 16 bods (and the bus) departed for Taieri Mouth.
Sheltering from the rain for morning tea in the old Wardell’s crib verandah.
The upward plod soon began and we were glad it wasn’t too hot. The light rain continued but there was no wind and it was pleasant for tramping. It was lovely in the bush with plenty of bird song and glimpses of the river below as we climbed.
A couple of solid hours saw us at the junction down to John Bull Creek, where it was unanimously decided not to descend, but to press on to the top for lunch. Which we did, collapsing gratefully for welcome food and drink. The rain had stopped and a pleasant break was had, with chocs to celebrate Alec’s recent birthday.
Lunch at the seat. Rain stopped at last.Lunch stop viewed from another angle.
Then down, and down, with a few inadvertent sit-downs, and the loss of a couple of impatient members who tried to take the direct route….it was quite slippery. No harm done, and we were soon back by the river for the last plod out to the road. The bus parked by the bridge was a welcome sight.
Nine cheerful souls on the bus had had a pleasant few hours meandering round Taieri Mouth and catching up on gossip, and there was no sign of the hardy seven trampers.
Thanks to hiking leaders Bob and Doug and tramping leader Arthur. It was a great day out, well-supported and enjoyed by all, and rounded off with a riotous session for coffee for 23 at Topiary. – Judy.
Coffee at Topiary. 23 in the sun.
16. 13/7/2016. Trampers. Millennium and John Bull from Henley. M. Leader: Arthur.
Two cars transported 9 trampers to begin the day’s adventure. The mild temperature was welcome, the sky overcast with northerly breezes.
We left the car-park at 10.00 a.m. and waked for about 10 minutes, to have morning tea at the picnic spot on the riverbank.
Continuing on it was up and down, as the track flows, and then up to the high up seat where we stopped for a little while. This spot overlooks the river to advantage
Another river view. (Margreet pic and caption.)
and also views away to the north too.
View from the top. (Margreet pic and caption.)
For example, Mount Cargill stood out in all its glory, with its mast on top.
The track was now downhill, the trampers intelligently noting that it would be the opposite on the returning journey. We came to a small wind-blown tree across the track, but Neil M. wrestled mightily with it and it was a problem no more.
An hour after leaving the high up seat we reached the track’s end. We were invited to have our lunch outside at Jay’s nearby house (she didn’t have the key with her), which we found a most pleasant and suitable place. – Thanks, Jay.
Lunch on the verandah of Jay’s Bach at Taieri Mouth. (Margreet pic and caption.)
A half-hour’s lunch and rest stop, and the party was on the track again. Grim determination was noted now, and with little talking, a fast pace was set, and we were back at the high up seat in an hour uphill – the same time as it had taken going down.
It had just come on to rain, so a brief regroup was taken under the trees, coats on, etc. The view being ignored now, downhill, and we were back at John Bull gully – just as the rain stopped and the sun came out.
Up the zigzag, and along, and down, etc., saw us back a the car park at 3.35 p.m.
The DoC sign at the car park stated that it was 9.3 km to Taieri Mouth but Margreet’s electronic gizmo said that we had done 16.2 kms.
Whatever distance we walked, we can say very definitely that “we went there and back”. A satisfying day’s tramp.
Blustery wind and rain welcomed us back to Mosgiel. No time for coffee today! – Arthur (substitute leader for Helen – off sick.)
15. 9/9/2015. Trampers. John Bull and Millennium from Taieri Mouth.
This tramp was done in place of the one scheduled, as I could not get permission from the farmer to do the tramp that was on the program.
Ten of us arrived at the Taieri Mouth car park, & set off along the riverside track. We had quite a late morning tea stop at the wooden seat at the top,…
Cuppa (Ken pic)
…before going down to John Bull Gully, where we had a short break. Then it was on along the Millennium track towards the Henley end. We arrived at the picnic spot down by the river, & had lunch there…
Lunch1 (Ken pic)Lunch2 (Ken pic)
…before setting off to do the remainder of the track, though to Wardells Cottage, & the car park beyond. [just to do the full track distance]
After a short break here, it was back the way we had come. We stopped at the seat at the highest point again for a rest & refreshments, after climbing the quite steep track up from John Bull Gully. We then made our way back to the cars at Taieri Mouth.
The weather was fine all day, but the track was quite muddy in places, & care is needed on the downhill muddy slopes.
It was good to hear the comments from some, that they had enjoyed the walk.
Although many in the group had walked both tracks in the past, it was the first time that quite a few of us had walked the full distance, there & back.
14. 21/12/2011. Trampers. John Bull and Millennium from Taieri Mouth.
GPS. Taieri Mouth John Bull Gully Millennium Track. Courtesy Ken.
Lunch. (Ken pic and caption)
Lunch2. (Ken pic and caption)
13. 8/12/2010. Trampers. Taieri Mouth to Wardells’ Cottage, return. H.
GPS of route, courtesy Ken.
The day was a bit cold and windy with some promised rain. A vote taken at the Taieri River mouth bridge was two to one (the writer was the ‘one’) with two abstentions to do the more sheltered John Bull Gully track instead of the scheduled Akatore beach walk. Aerobically it was certainly more beneficial with its plentiful provision of ups and downs. Continuing on to the Millennium Track to Wardells Cottage as well provided us with an all-up 18 km work-out which we all enjoyed. There was some spring grass overgrowth in places and the odd fallen tree. Some scrub cutting had been started There was some school group or other on inflatables out on the Taieri.
Distant shot of inflatables on river
12. 15/4/2009 Hikers. John Bull Track. Leaders: Lesley S, Bill H, Fred.
The hikers’ walk from Taieri Mouth on the John Bull track took a turn for the worse when 2hrs into the walk Elaine had to stop because of chest pains etc.
Leaving Elaine in the professional care of Bev, Lesley G and Neil, the remaining 10 carried on to higher ground to try and get cell phone coverage. This proved more difficult than anticipated and it took Lesley S to search for higher open area off the main track before finally making contact with the emergency service.
After the helicopter landed a paramedic ran down the track to where Elaine was lying. After her condition was checked and she was stabilized, she was attached to the paramedic and winched through a small gap in the bush canopy into the helicopter. – Fred
I have been overwhelmed with kindness from the tramp club since the event on the John Bull track.
Would you be able to convey my thanks to the members of the club who helped as a great team in my dramatic exit from the track which I don’t really remember.
The quick action of Bev, Lesley and so. I have found out the support of Neil in keeping me warm. And Lesley S who found cell phone coverage.
Chris who rang her husband in Brighton who linked it all together and the tramper who had the white shirts on that lay in the open area for the chopper.
ED at the hospital told me later that I was very lucky that I had had such great care.
They did a battery of tests – CT Scans but the last test I had was the Head Scan. (That was purely because I was a member of the TRTC – “Just joking” they said.) I had previously told them about the mad wet day that we did to Dr Point in the rain.
It has turned out great in the end. They said I can carry on tramping as usual next week If you will have me back?
Kind regards to every one – Elaine.
11. 16/5/2007. Hikers. John Bull from Taieri Mouth. Medium. Leaders: Dot B, Lesley G.
10. 15/10/2003. Medium. John Bull Gully from Taieri Mouth. Medium. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary.
9. 5/9/2001. Combined. John Bull Track. Leaders: Frank and Lesley, Pam.
8. 1/11/2000. John Bull Track. Leaders: Doug M, Hazel, Jean.
7. 16/6/1999. John Bull Track. Leaders: Lance and Lois, Judy C.
6. 18/11/1998. John Bull Track to river. Leaders: Dot B, Doug and Ngaire.
5. 8/7/1998. John Bull Gully and return. Leaders: Bev H, Bev McI.
4. 4/6/1997. John Bully Gully. Leaders: Joyce, Nancy, Eleanor.
3. 14/2/1996. John Bull Gully. Leaders: Dot and Eric.
2. 6/4/1994. John Bull Track, then over paddock to Waihola Road, back on John Bull Track. Medium. Les S, Bill H, Doug and Ngaire
1. 17/2/1993. Taieri Mouth Bridge to John Bull Flat. Average. Leaders: Eric and Dorothy, Joan H, Chris.
2. 17/8/2016. Sawyers Bay, Roseneath. Hikers. E. Leaders: Wendy and Peter.
Route map Sawyers Bay – Roseneath. Stevensons Ave; Reservoir Rd; Reservoir; Morning Tea; Return; Brick Hill Rd; Blanket Bay Rd; District Rd; Prospect Rd; Luuch; Shandon St; Sir John Thorn Dr; Station Rd; Stevensons Dr.Morning tea spot. (Helen pic and caption.)Patch of ice on reservoir. (Helen pic and caption.)View from lunch spot at Roseneath. (Liz pic and caption.)
1. 28/11/2012. Sawyers Bay, Roseneath. Hikers. Leaders: Lance and Lois.
27/7/2016. Street Walk. area roughly between Arthur St. and Dowling St. E. Leaders: Lester, Peter.
Street walk route map. Begin. Littlebourne Rd, cross Stuart St, Upper London St, Part Arthur St, Upper Cargill St, part Stuart St, upper Smith St, lower Tennyson St, Pt upper View St, upper Dowling St, Canongate, Brown St, Elm Row, upper York Pl. End.
28 left the car park on time at 9.30 after Judy wished two members a very happy birthday. Unfortunately things turned sour in the Moana Pool car park.
Lester had been give permission to us the parks, but it was noticed these are only 2-hour parks.
No option but to find other parks. Passengers out and drivers away to find parks, then all meet again in from of the O.B.H.S. memorial gate.
Hello, again. (Adrienne pic.)
Walk finally started about 10.30. Lucky the morning tea spot was close and our host, Mrs Scorgie, and her lovely dog were out front waiting to greet us.
We divided into small groups and all had a good look round the three floors of “Stranraer”,
Stranraer House. (Adrienne pic.)
complete with it nursery area. Mrs Scorgie kindly gave us a detailed history of this grand old 1910 stately home. (No, it was not a 15 minute stop – more like a 1 hr – 15 min. stop.)
The remaining walk went well. Lunch a bit late at Canongate. Walk finished in York Place where Bruce was able to tell us is was Olveston that had influence the architect when he designed “Haeta”. Many visited Rockbourn Gallery at 298 York Place.
Then on to Roslyn for coffee in the old Fire Station.
Coffee, Roslyn.
Quite a short walk – about 4 kms – but with a lot of stops for history. – Lester.
29/6/2016. Kaikorai Stream Walk. E. Leaders: Jan and Lesley.
Maori Hill Circuit route map. Bishopscourt Grnd; Kaikorai Strm; Marae; Kaikorai Common Rsve; School Rd (1km); Tyne St; Wright St; Highgate; Selkirk St; Tweed-(2km)-Littlebourne-Avon St; Melrose St; Wallace St; Newington Av; (3km) Queens Dr; Corrie St; View Pk La (4km); Falkand St; Henry St; Stonelaw Tce; Prospect Pk & lunch; Cannington Rd; (5km)Pilkington St; Balmacewen Rd; (6km) Chapman St; Lynn St; Bishopscourt Grnd. (7km).Morning Tea in Kaikorai community garden shelter.Sofa so good – Ian relaxes at morning tea. (Judy K pic and caption.)Sitting pretty. Te Paihere Marae. (Adrienne pic.)Kaikorai Common Reserve that we walked along.Social wind up at Roslyn Fire Station Coffee Culture Cafe.
27/4/2016. Hikers. Ocean View Suburbs. E. Leaders: Alex and Liz.
Nike app route map. Parked Ocean View freedom camping site. Dunes walk. Bush track Brighton Rd to John St. Morning tea at school, (1km). Along John St, up Creamery Rd to Museum.Track from Brighton Rd to Kayforce Rd to Bennett Rd (3km). Lane at end down to Brighton Rd. Lunch at Brighton Bowling Green (5km), Beach back to Surf Club, and again from north of BIg Rock (7km) to the cars.
23 took part in a walk around Ocean View Brighton in a perfect weather setup. There where some interesting places bought to our attention by the leaders of the group including the old Ocean View school
Hikers at morning tea.
and the welcome by local Warren Harris presenting his very own museum. The scenery was acceptable and the variation of walk pleasant.
Tunnel alternative to getting feet wet.A second alternative to getting wet feet. Alex disavows responsibility for this adventurous part of the tramp.. Liz happily accepts it.
To cap it off a visit to Agnes Café in Green Island where a great deal of chatter took place. Alex @ Liz GRIFFIN.
1. 30/3/2016 North Taieri Road Walk. E. Leaders: Les and Margaret.
GPS of Hikers’ Route 30 March. Park North Taieri Church. Wairongoa Rd, Milners Rd, Puddle Alley, Dukes Rd, Sinclair Rd, Hazlett Rd, Wairongoa Rd, Church. Nike distance shown as 9.63km less than other distances of 10.27km recorded.Mar. 30 Hikers Lunch Panorama. – 20 of the 21 Hikers.Unusual letterbox on Dukes Rd.
No. 58 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Taieri Historical Park. Farm”
Location: 11 km.
9/12/2015 Taieri Historical Park, Outram Glen, Whare Creek. Leader: Judy.
Judy and Adrienne did a great job of organising a rather complicated end-of-the-year gathering at the Taieri Historical Park when it didn’t all go to plan. Indeed the ordered trestle arrived, Judy had the key to the historic church where we had planned to lunch later, but there was not promised entry to the park museum, although happily the Machinery Museum at the top was there for us to wander around and gawp at. We we a goodly-sized group – forty-five of us. We were split into three groups:
Trampers went up the “Outram Glen” track, in the event stopping just short of Lee Stream lest they should find themselves getting back late for lunch.
Hikers (group one) went up the Whare/Traquair Creek track where we were informed through some 1912 cell-phone photos that the true “Outram Glen” spot was just across the creek adjacent to a flour mill, sadly burnt down about 1916, an area resorted to by picnickers, now built over by the more sweeping corner of the George King Memorial Drive just where it begins to climb the hill. The group went on to have morning tea at the track end, enjoying the bush and stream setting, and speculating where the dray track must have continued on to, perhaps up the side stream there, over a bridge that Jim noticed traces of. But click on here to see the probable true explanation. As depicted by the route map below, the track is just under a kilometre long. The group wandered back down to what is now termed the “Glen”, splitting up, some to explore where the Trampers had gone and others to wander where they willed. There was ample time to kill before the midday lunch.
GPS route map
Hikers (group two) resorted for a morning tea picnic at the “Outram Glen” Taieri River beach before returning.
Come midday, and others arrived. Many clustered round Jill’s ” bookstall, (an Altrusa project, proceeds to the Mosgiel Swimming Pool). We drifted into the church building and were greeted with a most attractive layout of the shared food we had brought.
The goodies (Helen pic)
Early fears that the pews would inhibit social intercourse were quickly allayed. Fred pointed out to this reporter how blokes at the “shed” had cunningly resized some longer pews so that the collection of pews presented a most genuine setting.
Munching and meeting. (Helen pic)Munching and meeting. (2) (Helen pic)
To round off the day, Bruce and his ukelele led us in singing a number of old unchurchy songs, to two of which he had added clever tramping verses of his own. Well done, Bruce!
Bruce and a couple of ring-ins leading the singing. (Helen pic)
Well, that winds things up. – Except! Plans to “coffee” at Outram were amended to Wal’s Topiary because of its larger size, but which we discovered upon reaching there had been taken over by a group for a Christmas get-together. So nine of us ended up at the Blackstone Cafe for our coffee chat. All in all, the day was a good occasion to finish off the year’s tramping and to wish each other a good holiday season and a good meeting together in the New Year. – Ian.
10/6/2009 Hikers: Taieri Historical Park, West Taieri Cemetery, return road. 3 paddocks to cross. Watch for electric fences Easy. Leaders: Bob & Evelyn E.
12/6/2002 Alt. Taieri Historical Park. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary, Margaret D
9/5/2001. Outram Historical Park. Leaders: Margaret D, Mary Y, Denise.
14/2/2001. Outram Historical Park. Leaders: Denise, Arthur and Barbara.
8/3/2000. Taieri Historical Park. Leaders: Margaret D, Rosemary and Jack.
1. 1/7/2015. All. Midwinter Dinner. Concord Tavern. E. Leaders: Elaine and Eric.
GPS Route Map
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 …
Down from Inn (John pic)
… 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.
Q1 (John pic)
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?
IRMO. (John pic)
More knew the answer this time. A prize again. Onward. Stop – outside Harraways Office. Now a generous distribution …
Harraways (John pic)
… 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, …
Bridge (John pic)
… 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.
Porch (John pic)
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 …
Train set. (John pic)
.. 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 …
Underpass
… 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
1/4/2015. Both. Neehoff Farm, Hindon. M. Leaders: Ian F and Arthur H.
GPS of route
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!
Lunch stop, waiting for the mushroom pickers to catch up.
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.
22/2/1995. Neehoff Farm, Hindon. Medium. Leaders: Molly, Jack and Rosemary, Eleanor.
10/9/2014 Street Walk: Hikers. Patmos Avenue, Pine Hill, round trip. M. Leaders: Bev and Adrienne.
Route. Cars, Patmos Ave, Maxwelton St, Pinehill Rd, Abbeyhill Rd, Cambells Rd, Hillary St, Dover St, Pinehill Rd, Fea St, SH1, George St, Woodhaugh Gardens, part Woodhaugh St, Lower Ross Creek tracks environs, Malvern St, Cars.
23 hikers left cars in Malvern St on a sunny no clouds day. No wind either.
We made our way up Patmos Ave, across the over-bridge of the motor way and on to Maxwelton St.
Does anyone know how this or who this street is named after? Somewhere on this journey we stopped for morning tea.
We passed some very old buildings on the way and there are some historical houses of significance from the
early days. At the end of this wee story there should be some web sites listed than you can pursue if you wish.
At the end of Maxwelton St we moved over to Pine Hill Rd.
Dunedin panorama; taken from Pine Hill Rd up behind Pine Hill.
We travelled down to 444 Pine Hill Rd and then up an alley onto Campbell Rd and then continued on down hill. Love down hills!
We arrived again at Pine Hill Rd. Lunch was at a small park.
Lunch at recreation area next to the Pinehill Ruldolph Steiner Kindergarten.
We walked on down to Woodhaugh Gardens. None of us got run over on the way.
Woodhaugh Gardens Leith River walk.
Woodhaugh Gardens are a pleasure to walk thru. My parents told me that in 1923/4 they did all of their courting there.
That was what it was called. The bird life was great to listen to. Walking thru the tracks in the gardens we passed the old quarry that closed in 1949 … and the old pub on the corner of Malvern St and Woodhaugh St was only open from 1888 till 1892. This hotel is getting a major makeover, which is good.
The views we had today looking over Dunedin are well worth the climb and the leadership by Bev was awesome even though she didn’t look like a hiker. Too well dressed in her high viz vest and pink nails. Adrienne did a good back up. No one and I mean NO ONE got behind her. Don’t forget to check out the sites. – Elaine.
