Feb 06 2022
Moeraki.
5. 2 February 2022. Combined trampers and hikers. Moeraki. Leaders Valerie Bell & Barbara Shackell, Jay Devlin & Bob Mitchell.
Twenty-eight intrepid beachcombers met together at an overcast Hampden Beach having carpooled up that morning – or camped overnight – and immediately had morning tea.
Low tide was 10.54am which permitted walking along the shore including around the rocky headlands for those who preferred, or joining the Millennium Track before the headlands and enjoying the bush area through into Moeraki Village.
A third option was for those who might have wanted a shorter walk to just go as far as they felt comfortable with, and to meet back at the carpark in time to join everyone for afternoon tea at Vanessa’s on SHI in Hampden village.
Some interesting rock formations were seen along the way and not all of them boulder formation.
It was a beautiful day for the walk, not being too sunny and therefore hot, and not being so cool as to be unpleasant to sit in the playground area for lunch.
At least one leader had assumed that the leading bunch of four women – who took to the headlands as though they were born to it – would continue past the two open eating establishments, past the now closed Fleurs, and up the Millennium Track to the lookout on the Hill above the bay. That leader was mistaken, as she discovered, with the miscreants arriving back at the playground having eaten their Tavern bought Fish & Chips without taking the trek to the lookout!
After lunch, we straggled out along the beach to return to the cars and enjoy an efficiently produced afternoon tea at Vanessa’s. Thanks to Dave R for the suggestion.
Depending on the fitbit or app relied on, we walked between 12-14 km.
Leaders: Jay, Bob, Valerie & Barbara