2021-10-13 < Weekly activities > 2021-10-27
Activity summary: Wednesday 2021 Oct 20 to Tuesday 2021 Oct 26
Wednesday
Botanic Gardens, R, Kath Kerr
3 of us, 2 members and 1 non member, enjoyed a pleasant meander through Kelburn Village and into the Botanic Gardens at it's highest point. After looking at the pines planted by the Governors General we wandered down through the patch of native bush before exploring some of the areas with spring flowers, sharing our knowledge and enjoying each
others company and the fresh air.
Makara Hill bike tracks, E, Barbara Ogilvie
Topo Map
24 TTC members enjoyed a mild sunny day in an area new to many of our group. 0ur goal was the beautiful, impressive swing bridge which spans a wide, deep valley. Although cyclists have precedence in their park, there were no mishaps thanks to shouts of warning from the appointed rear guards. The gentle gradient for cyclists was ideal for easy grade tramping. The round trip started on South Karori Rd. at the new mountain bike car park.
Pencarrow Head, Baring Head and lakes: 9am Burdan's Gate, Bike/M, Bob Buckle
Topo Map
Pencarrow Head, Baring Head and Fitzroy Bay.
The Medium trip on 20 October involved a combination of biking and hiking around the coastal fringe of the Eastern Harbour Regional Park. The trip commenced at Burdan’s Gate, and involved cycling along the coastal road to Pencarrow Head, through Fitzroy Bay (where we took a morning tea break beside large rocks sheltering an inviting grassy spot), and onward to Baring Head.
After taking in the magnificent views across the Cook Strait from the Baring Head Lighthouse and exploring the impressive restoration of buildings and scientific displays, there was a delightful ride down the grassy slopes, through Fitzroy Bay again back to Pencarrow. We diverted along the edge of Lake Kohangapiripiri where we stopped for a well-earned lunch, and then hiked up the gradual slope to the historic Pencarrow Lighthouse.
After taking in more breath-taking views of the outer harbour and south-west coastline, we returned to the bikes in the valley below and cycled back to Eastbourne. The outgoing ride into a light south-east breeze was challenging in spots and gave our leg muscles a thorough workout. The return ride was a cruise, with the breeze helping us from behind. The occasional sand hazards slowed our pace sometimes, but no serious pile-ups were observed.
Prior to embarking on the trip, we sought the advice of Jo Greenman, the GWRC ranger for the Eastern Harbour and Parangarahu Lakes. On her advice, we sought and were granted approval by two landowners whose access roads we had to use to ride across the Fitzroy Bay part of the route.
The trip attracted 14 members of the club with varying degrees of cycling experience and using a variety of styles of bicycles. Some bicycles were top of the line, some were older and dusted down for the trip, and some were borrowed from younger family members. Yet only one flat tyre occurred the entire trip. Total time for the trip was about six hours, and it concluded with joyous conversation over coffee and tea at Hive Café in Eastbourne.
Party Members:
Alistair Beckett, Linda Beckett, Bob Buckle (trip leader), Trish Gardiner-Smith, Susan Guscott, Brent Harrison, Carolyn Jenkins, Justin Kerr, Cheryle McDonald, Jane-Pyar Mauter, Dave Reynolds, Marilyn Richards, Peter Smith, Alison Stephenson.
Bawbaw 8am Featherston, MF, Gerald Leather Topo Map
Weekend
Tararua Lodge Ruapehu – Ski, Ski Touring, Tramp. (12 Bunks), Ski, Simon and Adrian Davis
Topo Map
Three club members went up Wed night, skied Thursday - snow soft - hadn't frozen overnight - but enjoyable, and back to lodge via Waka and walked up Tenants when cloud closed in at 3.\\
Friday, Saturday excellent days, with sunburn, spring corn snow. All three T bars were open, skied as much of Black Magic as we could.
Sunday cloud and light rain all day - closed, Monday the same, so headed home - field closed for the season.
Gloriana & Faire Queen – Lewis Pass (Super Fit), Alp 1, Jade Cincotta Topo Map
Total: 43 club members and 1 non-member out in the hills