North East Valley – Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

2. 12 April 2023 Trampers and Hikers

Choices for Hikers: Stay home and knit or brave the elements of mist and drizzle with potential rain but leave the Waihola Wanderings for another time. 11 chose to go for a local walk.

The course was plotted as we left the Peter Johnson carpark, going along the riverside, turning at the helicopter pad and wending our way over to Wingatui Rd and Gladstone Rd North.

It was decided to have morning tea under cover. Wingatui Station (built in 1875) was a likely possibility. However, the leader veered off track and we arrived at Neil’s model railway instead.

*Morning tea in luxury at Morrisons. Caption and photo Helen*

*View from their house of fog Caption and photo Helen*

This of course provided shelter as he coped with the unexpected invasion and happily displayed rail/train manoeuvres.

Neil Morrisons trains - amazing Caption and photos Helen — *Neil Morrisons trains – amazing Caption and photos Helen*

Dry and refreshed, we passed the evidence of autumn in the yellow, gold and red tree colours, and wended our way back to the carpark after a pleasant 10 kms of Mosgiel Meanderings.

*Hikers passing by Caption and photo Carole*

Eleanore and Carole

The Trampers choice

As a weather alert was given, safety required that we could not go to Rosella Ridge, so it was decided we would meet at Woodhaugh Gardens. After discussion, we headed towards Bethunes Gully. The rain had eased so we walked beside the Leith with some nice street art on the walls of the Leith.

*Street art surviving the students !. Caption and photo Pam*

We continued past the gardens, into North East Valley, past Dunedin North Intermediate school, then Baldwin Street(no takers), Dunedin Hospice and Ross Home. We detoured into Chingford Park, a nice stone home, which catered for weddings.

*Chingford Park- Discussing the weather!!! Caption and photo Pam*

We stopped at Leith Harrier and Soccer grounds for morning tea.

*Morning tea under shelter at Chingford Pavilion. Caption and photo Pam*

Moving on we passed some garden plaques on a fence. Into Norwood Street we continued to Forrester Park (bmx bike park) then into Bethunes Gully. The good 35 minutes of uphill, required some reduction of gear before an uphill climb. On the way a large tree had fallen and was being removed. We passed a couple of waterfalls,5 bridges over Lyndsay Creek and got to the top at 12.05 – lunchtime.

*Soggy sandwiches eaten on Bethunes track. Caption and photo Pam*

The return to the bottom took 30 mins, past the Normanby Tavern (now closed), Ross Home, then via a track behind the Hospice, thanks John G. We continued back onto the main road to NEV shops back to Woodhaugh and the cars. As some had cooled off due to drizzle, it was decided no coffees but a couple of pieces of chocolate fudge sufficed.

Distance 16.18km Elevation 445m actual tramping time 3hrs 6min.

Thanks Graeme S for being TEC. A fun day out. Phil.

Feburary 2018

Thirteen turned out for coffee. (Judy pic and caption.)

February 2018

Big Easy, Signal Hill, Ravensbourne, Opoho, Northern Cemetery – Information and Trips Library

Botanic Garden, Chingford Park, University Walkways, Woodhaugh Gardens – Information and Trips Library Post

25. 29 September 2021. Hikers. Otago Museum and the Fashion FWD Exhibition and a Springtime Walk. M. $5.00. Leaders: Jenny Finnerty, Noi McCunn

On Wednesday 19 hikers set off on a walk, starting at Botanical Gardens and walking to the Museum park for morning tea.

Noi 29 September Dunedin building resized — *Morning tea in the Museum Reserve – photo Noi*

We then went to have a wander around the Fashion Gallery Trail in the Museum after which we walked through the varsity to the St David Street zig zag.

Noi 29 September Dunedin playground resized — *Walking through the varsity – photo Noi*

Noi 29 September Otago University resized — *Otago University Clocktower Building – photo Noi*

Noi 29 September Dunedin steps resized — *St David Street steps – photo Noi*

Things had changed since I was a kid because Arana Hall had expanded and so now there is a locked gate at the top but lucky for us a lady swiped us in and swiped us out on the other side. Had a bit of tiki tour through studentville to Dundas Street but took a wrong track but ended up at the Cemetery.