Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

Pineapple Track—the curious name of this track originates from a tradition involving a local grocer in the 1920’s.  He guided parties up a track in this area and would provide tinned pineapple as a refreshment at the top.  The empty cans were left as litter.

24/6/2020 FLAGSTAFF   WALKWAY   ONTO   SWAMPY   RIDGE   TRACK   and   RETURN. Leader Eleanore
After a couple of head counts our group of 24 (including 3 new faces) arrived at the Bull Ring at 10am to a very foggy morning.  As well as us,  staff were parked up waiting to spread gravel on Pineapple and Firebreak tracks, that was to be dropped by helicopter.  We commented that it would be something new to look at as we were walking.

After a short sharp climb we arrived at the Plane Table marked by a drainpipe at a height of round 660 metres for smoko, still in fog and no views we headed off again down and around to the Pineapple junction, passing by damage caused by a fire last year.

Photo and Caption John – “Morning tea – not to be MIST!”

This section of the Pineapple track was wet and slippery along with the odd patch of icy puddles, we had to make sure we kept our feet firmly on the ground!!

Photo and Caption Gordon – “You couln’t have MIST this group of trampers.”

Photo and Caption Gordon – “Still slogging up hill!”

We arrived at the junction of Swampy and Firebreak tracks at 11am, then continued through more mud, noticing quite a lot of broom had been recently cut down—-thanks to those concerned.

After some climbing along the way, passing Moon, Powerline, and Telecom Microwave Station tracks, we arrived at the Aircraft Navigation Station at the Swine Spur junction at 12:15pm.  Up till now, the only sight to be seen was the person in front of you!!  Occasionally, one hoped for the fog to lift,  so the amazing views could be enjoyed—so far, not happening.

Photo and Caption John – “Lunch at Swampy summit.”

Photo and Caption John – “Gotcha Dave!”

At 12:40pm, after a shortened lunch it was time to head for home, negotiating the slippery, slidey slopes along the way reaching the Firebreak junction in 1 hour, we took the shortcut back onto Flagstaff track, and enjoyed the mostly downhill walk to the cars, arriving at 2:30pm.

Photo and Caption Gordon – “Homeward bound.”

The boots covered a good 13kms.

This was the first tramp with the Club I have  been on that the fog never lifted the entire day.   We were ready for coffee,  cake and a yarn to celebrate our achievement at Blackstone Cafe.

As always, I hope you all enjoyed the day as much as I did.
Eleanore

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 20 people from the Hiking Group had a very pleasant 7k walk from the yacht club car park up 260 steps to the botanical gardens, where we enjoyed a beautiful view and morning tea.

We then wound our way down through the grounds, enjoying lots of things on the way, arriving at the duck pond, where we stopped for lunch.

 An interesting walk through the University and back to the cars.

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Photo and Caption Clive – “Brighton beach car park.”

Photo and Caption Clive – “Brighton Beach Surf Club”

We then headed off towards Ocean Beach, a tunnel and sand dunes.   The blackberries were ripening nicely and provided a sweet treat.   We were able to point out past and present Homes of ex all blacks, Community leaders and some colourful characters from Brighton’s history.

Photo and Caption Clive – “Ocean Beach tunnel.”

Photo and Caption Clive – “Ocean Beach”

Photo and Caption Clive – “In the sand dunes”

By lunchtime we reached the old creamery coal mine.   There were several tales to be told about the coal mining days and of tragedy in the deaths of two of the coal miners.   We sat amongst the gum trees for lunch and listened to stories.

Photo and Caption Clive – “Lunch amongst the gum trees”

Photo and Caption Clive – “The old coal mine was over there.”

After lunch we walked up the hill and met Warren Harris who owns the site of the old coal mine.   We were treated to a visit to his ‘Man Cave’ with some historic treasures and memorabilia.

Photo and Caption Clive – “Warren explains his collection.”

Photo and Caption Clive – “Tragic stories of coal mining days.”

Photo and Caption Clive – “Historical photos from Brighton.”

Photo and Caption Clive – “The creamery.”

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3. 27/11/2019. Trampers. Maungatuas Meander via Kempshall Road. M Margreet and Neil

It was warm and balmy as 20 eager trampers set out on our ‘meander’ today. Several in the group were adamant that ‘meander’ slightly understated the nature of the outing – and thought a better description would be ‘a very long Baldwin street’!!
The steep gravel road access to the parking spot proved challenging for some cars and passengers/pushers, but we all made it!

Photo and Caption Gordon _ “And we’re off”

In order to prepare for the ascent ahead we decided to have morning tea on the balcony at the landowner’s bach, which was just a short side trek from the main track.

Photo and Caption Gordon -“A great place for morning tea”

Views from there were stunning and to be honest the group was a bit reluctant to move on.

The steep climb up Mt. Maungatua to the top boundary took around an hour of huffing and puffing and moaning and groaning!
There was no sign of the aggressive NZ falcon and group of fallow deer encountered on the reconnoitre.

Photo and Caption Helen – “At the top looking out over the plains”

But once conquered the vista over the fertile Taieri Plain, wetlands and lakes; was outstanding.

Photo and Caption Gordon – “A view of Saddle Hill and the Taieri plains”

Photo and Caption John – “the beautiful Taieri Plain”

Heading south we traversed gullies of verdant native bush and ridges of lush long grass.

Photo and Caption Gordon – “Still climbing”

Photo and Caption John – “Further than I would usually take my dog”

We stopped for lunch on a grassy knoll prior to descent.

Photo and Caption Gordon – “Lunch, a disappearing view and a very special birthday shout”

Photo and Caption Helen – “Birthday wine shout by the birthday boy Dave”

Within minutes a light easterly brought in low cloud which reduced visibility to a few metres. The leader,using all his native tracking skills, led the beleaguered group safely downhill to the lower track. What a hero!!

Photo and Caption Helen – “Walking down one of the many hills”

Photo and Caption Gordon – “”Heading down to the cars we hope”

From there it was uphill and down dale back to the cars, pausing briefly to inspect the adventure course being used by the chatty children from Hampden school.
Recovery was commenced at Outram’s Wobbly Goat with coffee and cake.
P.S. A consensus asserted that this adventure be reclassified from M to H!

Margreet and Neil

2. 19/4/2017. Trampers. Meander the Maungatuas via Kempshall Road. M. Margreet and Neil.

As we drove through Outram heading for our ‘Maungatua Meander’; the rain bearing cold front forecast for lunch-time, arrived 3 hours early! Nevertheless 5 hardy gentlemen and 6 ‘complaining’ ladies set out on the steep 78 minute climb to the top boundary of this private property! We passed ‘Climbing Rock’ and inspected the outdoor adventure course where a tiered viewing platform made a handy stop for morning tea, sheltered from the wind and rain.

Morning Tea. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Confidence course. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Jill on the helipad. (Margreet pic and caption.)

Plodding (and puffing) upwards past ‘Falcon Rock’, the top junction was soon reached, but the awesome scenic vistas promised by the leaders, were less than spectacular!

Heading South we followed the farm track passing through gullies of beautiful native Beech forest, and ridges of productive pasture. Destructive wild pigs had been busy in many places. The weather dictated an early descent for lunch beside a waterfall in the sheltering beech forest.

Lunch. (Helen pic.)

A side-trek to visit the landowner’s beautiful ‘Bunker’ completed the meander, during which we covered 8.5 KM and climbed to 1900 ft.

We enjoyed a debrief at the Wobbly Goat Café before heading home. -Margreet and Neil

1. 28/1/2009 Kempshall Road, Maungatua Leader: George
(Off Maungatua Road, beyond Grainger Road.) Permission.

Small waterfall, small pool, big rock. Doug, George. (Hazel pic)

Twin rocks. Taieri Plain from Kempshall Rd Track. George, Glenice, Doug (Hazel pic)

Back at the cars. Glenice, Doug.  (Hazel pic)

18 of us set off from Mosgiel and travelled through Outram and turning left off on a road into Horsehoof Station. Clear looking sky and the anticipation of a great day.

Parked up in the paddock, we set off up the first hill. The wind was very cold  and strong up there, brass monkeys were the call, and numerous layers the call,  jackets and hats also.

We stopped in a sheltered spot for our morning tea.  Farm trackended and then it was onto DOC land and tussock.Not much track at all and quite hard going. The odd slip on the terrain.

 Making it to the top

Finally the Summit. (Gordon pic and caption.)

where photo shoots were taken.

The new Saddle Hill volcanic crater.(Phil pic and caption.)

Great views but soooo cold and windy. Decided to go back to some shelter in the tussocks for lunch.

Lunch out of the wind. (Gordon pic and caption.)

Back  up to the corner of Horsehoof,

Out of the West ( Mahinerangi in background) (Phil pic and caption.)

and with three going back down the start track to look for poor old Dave’s iphone lost on way up, while the rest of us went the longer way.

Two things sprung to mind on this tramp. If you go a different direction you need to let the leader know for safety reasons.

Lunch needs to be finished by everyone before some start on their way.

All in all a great tramp in some windy conditions, travelling 14kms. Refreshments well received

Coffee. (Helen pic and caption.)

with great service at the Wobbly Goat in Outram   Helen.😉

MAUNGATUA DEBRIEF

It saddens the leader to have to write these notes, due to the fact that a few of the group completely ignored the club’s Safety Rules up on Maungatua.

The club formulate these safety rules many years ago, which were updated 2-3 years back. All new members are given a copy when they join, and they are on the club’s website. (v. Page 7a.) Everyone should be familiar with them.

There is nothing difficult about these rules, just simple commonsense things (but of course, as they say, common sense isn’t common any more. (A detailed email is going out to all members about this) – Art.

Once upon a time 12 happy trampers set out to climb the big mountain of Maungatua. They wanted to get to the top, and were very determined.

But the nasty rain came just as they set out, and the cold wind joined in to make things unpleasant for the 12 happy trampers.

The cloud came down too, to hide the top of the mountain, but that was no deterrent either. Jackets and gloves kept them warm.

Uphill they went, on the good 4WD track, into the cloud and with the wind and rain attacking them.

In time they were high up on the mountain, and stopped to have their morning tea in the slight shelter of a little hut, beside some aerials.

After a brief stop to enjoy their hot cups, discretion was decided upon, and the 12 happy (still) trampers returned back down the mountain to their cars.

But the 12 happy trampers had had a good morning’s exercise, covering more than 6 km and the rain and wind had given a good test to the weatherproofness of their clothing.

Feeling a bit wet and cold, the 12 happy trampers drove back to Mosgiel, returning safely to their homes.

20. 10/5/2017. Trampers. Maungatua trig via Horsehoof. M. Leader: Arthur.

Clear skies, a light breeze, and lots of sunshine gave perfect conditions for our tramp up onto Maungatua. The cars were left high up beside the farm road on Horsehoof, a group of 13 happy trampers setting out from here on the uphill dozed farm track.

About halfway up morning tea was taken, with stunning views to enjoy at the same time, in the clear air.

Onward and upward, we reached the top boundary of Horsehoof Station, and climbing through the fence were in the DOC reserve which encompasses all of the top of Maungatua. It was then single file through the tussock and turpentine shrubs on the faint track.

We stopped to admire the Big Rock,

The beautiful rock. (Helen pic and caption.)

photos being taken of the group.

The group of 12 plus me. (Helen pic and caption.)

Just as we were preparing to move on a pair of N.Z. falcons flew in and landed on top of Big Rock just above us. They weren’t at all worried by us humans, and it was marvellous to see them there.

In single file we moved on, and eventually came to the summit post at 12 noon – perfect timing for lunch.

From here, on the highest point (895 metres) we could see in all directions – 360 degrees. A huge fog bank right down the coast totally hid the sea and the Otago Peninsula, but the land was in clear view as far as the eye could see. What terrific scenery.

Margreet pic.

Lunch over we began the return journey, which meant retracing our steps. With an occasional brief rest/regroup stop, we were back past Big Rock, through the fence onto Horsehoof again, and down hill with a brief uphill bit to reach the cars.

A group of 13 happy trampers had had a great day, walking a total of 12 km. The perfect weather certainly added to the enjoyment of the day.

But, the tramp finished too soon (obviously too short), as it was necessary to stop in Outram for a while on the way home so that discussion that hadn’t had time to be had during the tramp could be concluded.

The leader was particularly pleased to have such a good turn out of trampers today – thank you to all. – Arthur.

19. 11/1/2017. Hikers. Maungatua Big Rock and Trig via Horsehoof. M. Leaders: George and Ian.

It wasn’t the best tramp to ease into after the relaxing holidays. However the easier programmed Kuri Bush beach walk had not taken the tide times into account. What to do? Something inland. George scouted Saddle Hill (summit not tackled by the Hikers since 2010) and Horsehoof (last done by the Hikers 2011). Relevant property owners for Saddle Hill could not be reached, so Horsehoof and Big Rock then.

Seventeen turned out on the day. A respectable number, given that some members were still on holiday. Admittedly the road entrance to Horsehoof is easily missed, as happened to some on the day, but eventually all the cars arrived and drove on up to park in the high paddock where the FWD track to the top corner of the station starts. At about 690m here, we had already made good inroads on Maungatua’s Big Rock elevation of 880m.

It was still a bit early so we trudged through that first unavoidable gully to merelyregain the cars’ height a kilometre or two further on, finding a bank to sit on for morning tea.

(Clive pic.)

No more gullies now but it was up, steadily up, with frequent regrouping stops to eventually reach the Horsehoof Station’s top corner. At 865m effectively all climbing was behind us. We had gained 225m since leaving the cars. One of us elected to stop here and await the return of the others, and Mollie, who hadn’t wanted to miss the chance of revisiting Horsehoof, was happy to keep her company.

Now it was 15 who scrambled through the fence onto the Maungatua reserve to push on through the tussock and dracophillum (turpentine bush) till we reached a point opposite to the Big Rock.

(Clive pic.)

Here, along with George, ten were happy to make this their destination stop,

(Clive pic.)

while a remaining group of five carried on with an assurance it was only another half hour to the trig. W-e-l-l not exactly. More likely three quarters, as one found the going harder than others. But we got there! Or rather two did.

Made it! 895m.(Ian pic and caption.)

Too bad,the other three had stopped off short of the last rise and lunched. However with the encouragement of the trig returnees (or is it returners?) they were encouraged to push on so that they could say they had made it too. And they did!

On the return we discovered the hypotenuse short-cut that avoids a right angle in the fence and which we had missed on the way in due to overgrowth disguising it at its other end. A shame. It needs a fence indicator.

When we arrived at Big Rock, we discovered the ten others had long since given up waiting for us, and were back waiting for us when we straggled up the last weary slope up to the cars – at least weary for this writer.

So there it is. A good traditional tramp perforce resurrected for the hikers by an unfortunate tidal assesssment. And an enjoyable stop and chat at the Wobbly Goat to finish it off. And roll on the better weather. – Ian.

18. 10/2/2016. Maungatua Summit. Leader: Arthur H.

Horsehoof Station to maungatua peak. GPS of route, courtesy Ken. (Ken pic and caption) 13.2km; 3.7km/h; 3h 33m moving; total ascent 409m; max height 900m

Nine trampers set out in ideal conditions to conquer Maungatua. The day was sunny with some high cloud. The breeze was light all day – westerly, then changing to southerly for a while, and then died away altogether.

We drove in through Horsehoof Station, up the road towards the microwave. A car shuttle was set up by taking one car back 2-3 km, leaving it at the top of the hill above the woolshed.

We took the dozed farm track that winds its way up to the top of Maungatua, stopping for morning tea at a suitable spot.

We reached the top of the track, where the small shed and various aerials are situated, at 10.50 a.m. Climbing over the fence we were then in the DOC Reserve, which covers a large part of Maungatua.

From here there is a faint track heading to the summit, which is some 2.5 km away. This is undulating country.

We soon came to the large tor, and stopped for several minutes to inspect and photograph it.

Side trip to rock tor (Helen pic)

Continuing on along the track, which follows the fence line, we gained the summit a few minutes before 12.00 noon. A black and white painted post now marks the spot, …

“Trig” post with rock placed on top by one of the party. (Helen pic)

… and is visible from a short distance. Sitting down in the tussock, we had a relaxed lunch on the spot. The slight breeze was just a tad cool, we noted.

Lunch at the “trig”

From the summit there is a great 360 degree view, but unfortunately haze in all directions spoiled this somewhat.

Half of the group had a look over the brow, down in the direction of the 3 Kings -which isn’t visible. All of us then picked our way through the rough vegetation, in an easterly direction, to get a better view down on the Taieri Plain and Airport.

Making our way back up to the track, we returned along it to the shed and aerials, and over the fence. A brief stop here, where it was noted the altitude was 865m, compared to the 895m at the summit.

We now walked down a 4WD track through the tussock, following the western spur.

On fence line track well down to the Lee Creek gully showing ‘uphill grunt’ on other side. (Helen pic)

A restful stop was made at the bottom, in the shade of the beech trees at the north branch of Lee Creek. A short uphill grunt gave a “tang” to the end of our tramp, and we were soon back at the “shuttle” car.

All agreed that it had been a good tramp and an enjoyable day. This had been a first time for most.

Seven held a debrief at Outram on the way back home.

Coffee at Outram. (Helen pic)

The tramp distance was 13.2 km. – Arthur H.

GPS of route from car to trig

At the Maungatua Trig (1)

At the Maungatua Trig (2)

17. 4/5/2011. Both. Horsehoof upper paddock to Big Rock. Medium. Leader: George.

A sheltered lunch spot.

An interesting bank of fog in the west.

The tarn beyond the big rock.

Obviously scientific, an exclosure on the tarn.

Morning Tea break. George. (Emma pic)

Keith and George at the Big Rock. (Emma pic)

Many were discouraged by the wet morning start, but 8 of us enjoyed a farm walk on what turned out to be an cold overcast day (which we were well wrapped up against) interspersed by sun at morning tea and lunch. From the regular parking spot, for a change we turned down steeply
click to enlarge

Descent to bridge

to cross the Woodside Creek upper tributary nearby

Woodside Creek

and to then climb steeply

Climb ahead

to enjoy a cuppa at the set of rocks a little way up.

Cuppa.

Then to carry on up to the top corner of the station. This was a route the club hasn’t taken for five years and more. We forewent going on to the big rock and tarn through the rather heavy wet dracophyllum we would have had to struggle through, so lunched at the top under the shelter of a bank

Lunch in sun

and returned by the more regular farm track.

Rock and Pillar Range in sun

Recycled car bolstering bridge. Wee waterfall behind.

We all enjoyed a good tramping day but regretted there were not more to share the walk with. Bruce stood in for Marjorie who was indisposed on the day. Our thanks to Wendy and Bruce for their leadership. – Ian.

14. 12/11/2008 Trampers. Horsehoof Station, Maungatua Trig. Leaders: George, Ria.

This turned out to be a tramp from Horsehoof Station rather than from the advertised Allendale Farm. So it was simply up by the regular farm road to the Maungatua Trig and back.
click to enlarge

Decorated Trig. George, Hazel, Ria, Emma

Saddle Hill from Maungatua

What was different was the wind measuring masts

Mast for measuring wind?

and various markers presumably installed by Trustpower. A breeze pleasantly tempered the heat of the sun and 8 of us enjoyed a tramp in the tussocks and Maungatua top with the George making it easier and shorter by having the two cars parked further up the hill than on previous tramps. – Ian

13. 27/8/2008 Trampers. Horsehoof Station Upland road-walk Leaders: Ian, Ken
Winter conditions decreed a firmer road walk in place of the anticipated soggy ground we would have encountered at the Flagstaff big rock. So it was Horsehoof Station for a look at the fast disappearing snow conditions.
click to enlarge

Drift snow remains. Ken

Seven of us set off from our cars parked down at the shearing shed and walked steeply up in the general Maungatua direction. It was a good walk in the fresh air with general sunny conditions turning to threatening clouds later. The breeze was fresh but sheltering in the lee of a gully made for a comfortable morning tea.

Lunch was on the sheltered side of the repeater station,

Emma and Glenys approaching the Microwave. George ahead.

reached by cutting across a couple of wet gullies swollen with fresh snow runoff.

The return. Bill, Pat, Emma
A shorter day but the sun was out most of the time and the views and company were good. – Ian

The return. Bill, Glenys, Emma.

Lex, Doug J, Arthur, Doug M

Snow on NE Maungatuas

We first went to inspect the nearby “Lonely Grave” of Mr Don Graham.

Family grave in Ardachy Station. (Helen pic and caption.)

The Graham family have been on Ardachy for 120 years – check our club website for more details about the “Lonely Grave”. [Scroll further down this post for this. – Ed.]

A short stop was made in the tussock for morning tea, before continuing on down hill. 4 friendly horses greeted us when we reached “Blacksmith Flat”, beside the Taieri river.

Four friendly hores came to visit. (Helen pic and caption.)

We followed the “Flat” upstream for some distance, before turning and retracing our steps.

The return journey was up “Blacksmith Gully”, and we travelled some distance before stopping for lunch.

Lunch. Second photo I missed was a lovely view while no fog. (Helen pic and caption.)

The cloud had come down now, with no more than a couple of hundred metres visibility, and remained so until we returned to Outram.

Lunch spot (Ken pic and caption)

View from lunch site (Ken pic and caption)

… not far from where we had to cross the stream, & start the climb back to the car. After a leisurely lunch, we moved on until we came to the old mine shaft, which we climbed up the bank to inspect. the fence around it is slowly getting wrecked as time goes on, but the bush growing around the hole is still protecting it well. After this, it was just a matter of climbing back to the car, which seems like a daunting task when looking up from the valley floor, but it only takes around 1/2 an hour to climb out.

GPS 10.9km
moving ave 3.8km/h
moving tme 2h 52min
total ascent 445mtrs.

The pic below shows 3/4 of the party at the point on the ridge where on previous tramps we had crossed from the river side of the ridge to the other. We arrived at this point by keeping to the ridge and avoiding the river-side track. Here we stopped for morning tea.

There had been a little drizzle to this point, but from here on, the weather and the views cleared to give us a good day out. To those who remained at home, we proved that you make your own luck. Bravo.

The cross-over point on the ridge taken on previous tramps.

And from this point we still kept to the ridge and found a clear crack down the nose of the ridge to the river flats. Club pioneers! I think we’ll always wish to do the descent this way, now. We explored Blacksmith flat, noting a new electric fence put in no doubt to keep stock away from the river.

We then took the track down-river that leads to the further flat reached from the Mains Road tramp, and lunched, seated at the lovely BBQ area. Then it was back to take the Blacksmith Gully route up to the car.

The writer had forgotten just how far we have to ascend the gully floor before locating the FWD track that takes us back up to the car.

Ascending Blacksmith Gully

Then it was just a 25-minute hard-breathing one-foot-in-front-of-the-other climb, after first subjecting Judy to the obligatory mine shaft sighting.

Back at the car at top of ridge

And so back into the car and out along a road, good and smooth, but a bit sloppy from the earlier drizzle. A good try-out for Ian’s little new/old Corolla. – Ian.

GPS of route, courtesy Ken

Memorial Site

Climb

Ridge

Lunch by Taieri River (Ken pic)

Walking back after lunch (Ken pic)

Postscript: (A bit of Club history, recollected by George and confirmed by Bob Heenan.)

Daphne, then President and founding member of the Club, was also a member of  the Dunedin Photographic Club. She met Don Graham, Ardachy Station owner there and got talking. An upshot was that he invited the Club to do a tramp on his land. This the Club did in 1989. They parked where we still park today, and followed the ridge from there down to the Flats. An arduous effort, following the ridges ups and downs. (We follow an easier 4WD track today.) On their return, club members were surprised to find Don by the cars, with a billy boiling over a fire.

“22/8/90. Members of Taieri Recreational Tramping Group waiting for billy to boil after tramp. Ardachy Station, Hindon, Taieri Gorge.” (Ian pic, scanned from Peg Chisholm photo collection.)

He invited them to get their mugs out and filled them with tea. A very happy introduction to what has been a satisfying series of tramps there over the years.

Post-post-script: – from NZ Herald Sunday April 3 2011.

Don Graham, 72, was buried on his Ardachy Station property at Hindon this week in a ceremony attended by more than 120 family members and friends.

A bagpiper played as Mr Graham was interred in the place he had chosen on the property, among rolling hills and wind-swept tussock.

A piper plays as Don Graham’s casket is carried to his plot beside the Hindon station road overlooking his farm, Ardachy station, and the Taieri River. Picture / Otago Daily Times

Funeral director Robert Campbell said it was the first time in 40 years he had been involved in a home burial.

“It’s very uncommon, because you have to get permission through the Burial in a Special Place Act,” he said.

The law stipulates that people must be buried communally if they lived within 32km of a cemetery.

But it allows for home burial “if there are exceptional circumstances making the burial of that body in that place particularly appropriate”

Mr Campbell said: “He was granted permission by the Ministry of Health four years ago, because he and his forebears had farmed the land for 105 years and had a close association with the property.”

The grave site looks over Ardachy Station towards the Taieri River.

“It’s a lovely spot in the hills overlooking the valley,” said Robin Gamble, who delivered the eulogy at the funeral.

Mr Gamble said Mr Graham was passionate about the area in which he lived, and always wanted to be buried there.

“But it was very difficult and involved. He had to get 10 affidavits from people to support his request, as well as regional council consents.”

Mr Graham lived all his life in the area, taking over Ardachy Station from his father-in-law in 1956.

Mr Graham’s widow, Leila, said it was an emotional day for her and her two sons.

“He spent very little time away from the farm, and he would have been so proud. We can look out the back window of the house and see him down there now,” she said.

Mr Graham enjoyed a laugh. On April 1, 1991, he appeared on the front page of the Otago Daily Times with a “shabbit”, a creature he claimed to have bred from a merino sheep and a rabbit.

The April Fool’s Day trick was so successful people were still ringing him up months later to ask about breeding stock.

– OTAGO DAILY TIMES

9. 1/3/2007. Ardachy Station, Blacksmith Gully and Flat. Medium+ Leaders: George, Doug M

Morrisons Poleline track Swampy Moon track. (Caption/route map courtesy Ken)

After cancelling our trip to Leaning Lodge, 7 trampers turned up at the carpark to do the Morrisons/Poleline/Swampy/Moon circuit.
We parked on the Leith Valley Rd. by the entrance to the Glow worm track, then walked up the road to the bridge over the Morrison Burn.
The day started off cool, but fine, & the track condition was quite good. We climbed under the barrier at the locked gate on the bridge at the start, & made our way up to the weir,

1 Curiosity (Ken pic and caption)

then backtracked to where the track went uphill through the bush. After morning tea break,

2 Morning tea (Ken pic and caption)

we carried on until we came across a gravelled road, where we took the wrong way!! We soon discovered our mistake, & walked along the road to where the track started again up through the bush. This eventually led us onto the Poleline track that goes up to the top of Swampy. We had lunch sheltered from the wind by the building at the top of the Leith Saddle track, then retraced our steps back …

3 Fog over Mosgiel from Swampy (Ken pic and caption)

… to the junction of the Poleline track & the Swampy Ridge track, where we turned off, & made our way along to the top of Moon track. We had a short stop here before heading off down this very badly rutted [damaged by mountain bikes] & rough track into the bush again where there is a multitude of mountain biking tracks, winding back & forward making it hard to know which track to take. So we just kept looking for tracks that went downhill, & eventually we ended up on the Leith Valley Rd. about 150mtrs from the cars.

An interesting day, & a tramp that a few had not done before, & all agreed that it was a good walk.
Walked 12.8km
Ave speed 3.9km/h
Moving time 3h 18min.
Climbed 658mtrs. – Ken.

5. 19/8/2009. Medium.  Morrisons Burn, Morrisons Track, Poleline Road, Swampy, Pineapple, Nicols Creek. Medium. Leaders: Keith and Glenice

Upper of three water supply weirs

Looking down from weir. Keith, Hazel, Bruce, Ria

Swampy track south towards Flagstaff

Greenery on Morrisons Burn Track

Junction of Swampy with Nicols Creek Tracks. Hazel, Ria, Pat, Ken, Doug M, Lex

by common consent Lex took the 10 of us on to the Pineapple Track

Junction Swampy, Pineapple Track. Lex, Ken, Pat, Doug M, Hazel, Wendy

descent to break away from it further down at a stone cairn to cut across the cocksfoot on the left to the bush edge. This provided heightened interest as it had not been reconnoitred but Lex cleverly located the track that led down through the bush and across back to Nicols Creek track. The day had begun overcast and actually rained a few drops after lunch, but got really hot during our concluding descent to the cars. A good way for it to happen. – Ian

3. 16/1/2008. Trampers. Nicols Creek, Swampy, Morrisons. Medium. Leaders: Lex, Tash.

2. 16/5/2007. Trampers. Morrison Falls. Return Nicols Creek. Moderate. Leaders: Lex, Tash.

Grainger Road Tramps to Maungatua summit and Woodside.
Steep, Long. Take plenty of water.
Cars park at Graingers Road.

8. 11/11/2015. Trampers. Grainger Road.
A change of plan due to the weather. 7 of us went to Grainger Road and parked at end of road by the pylon. Steep track up the side of the Maungatuas. Steep was what Hamel’s book said and was steep. Morning tea Ken left and went back down. Rest of us continued up as far as the markers were. No more track to be found so after much looking around the decision was made to go back down. Early lunch with the paddock’s two resident horses and a shower of rain sent us on our way home. Still a good workout. – Helen.
7. 31/8/2005. Trampers. Grainger Road to Maungatua Tussock slopes only. Spaniard grass thick. Leaders: George, Doug J.
We climbed in the bush, and came down in tussock and farm. – Ian

Break in Bush. George, Ria, Who?

Lunch on Maungatua slop. Hazel, Dorothy, George

Descent round a large rock. Who? in rear rear. Doug M front.

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

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.

Convivial Dining (1) (John pic)

Convivial Dining (2) (John pic)

Convivial Dining (2)

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!