Short, sharp heavy showers, high seas and gusting winds were forecast for the day. Perhaps I would stay in my cabin and hope for improved weather!! Then, awareness hit. That was last Wednesday in Fiordland- no sleeping in today.

Bus driver Dave, had us off from Bishopdale promptly as we had an hour fifteen journey ahead of us.  We noted our president’s absence and fortunately remembered to stop to pick up VP Bev as we headed up the highway for the countryside of North Canterbury. Bev proved a very able understudy mastering the microphone, announcements etc. with aplomb. Three visitors, Tony, Steve and Hettie were welcomed and the 40 of us looked forward to a great day in the country.

As usual, it seemed that all of a sudden and in the middle of nowhere, the bus pulled over to the side of the road and off we all piled. Ah, it was all coming back. A short, gentle uphill track had us climbing over the stile, or squeezing between gatepost and gate, and then we really were in rural Canterbury – green, rolling hills to both sides, and the sounds, sights and smells of a working farm. The track was well-formed and hazard-free, but the slope got steeper and continued to do so over almost all of the walk.

We were relieved when Alan called morning tea at 10.26, but this was done with a little diffidence and was more in the form of a question, giving one of our members the opportunity to offer the following as the last of the standards arrived, “Too bloody slow! We’re going on!!”  At this point we realized that the Understudy had filled the same role the year before and was keeping us to the times and locations noted then. Fortunately, at 10.30 the 2020 morning tea stop was reached and we all gratefully found a spot to take refreshments.

The day was perfect for tramping – sunny, but not too hot, and some breeze to cool us when topping yet another slope. The uphill nature of most of the walk lead to a discussion of semantics for a small number … was this undulating, or just plain uphill?  Pondering this, a new term was coined which we would encourage the Programme Committee to adopt – “Updulating”.  This would alert would-be trampers to a hike which had a few downhill sections, but which is mostly uphill.

We noted that the trees that had been planted just a couple of years earlier appeared to be thriving and a check of photos taken in 2019 would confirm this.

The old-hands were keeping an eye out for the well-known landmark – the dilapidated freezer. A couple of years ago this was missed and not wishing a repeat of the extra distance and hill that resulted, we were all ready to shout, “Stop”, if we looked like overshooting the gate that it marked. However, we were in good hands and Alan duly turned left at this point and shortly after we had another stop, for lunch this time.

Reaching the summit of the final climb, we knew that this was the trickiest part of the walk with the steepish downhill track covered with small stones and compressed dirt – an invitation to get into an uncontrolled slide or slip. The flat was reached without incident, but there we encountered a herd of cattle that had left their smelly calling cards exactly where we wanted to place our feet. We then had to negotiate the only water on the track, which was impossible to avoid. The cattle had been enjoying this also so we did return home with some evidence of our farm walk.

The Standards welcomed the opportunity to loll around on the lush grass, enjoying the sun while waiting for the Alternates to arrive.  Checking in with some of this group, it appeared they too had enjoyed the trek but it was not incident free. The sight of yet another “updulating” slope snaking into the distance, was enough to stir mutterings of mutiny!! Common sense prevailed and all were well-satisfied with their efforts when they joined us at the bus.

We soon found ourselves back on the road, and Bev announced that there was time for a refreshment stop in Amberley. The coffee-lovers were out of luck – apparently the cafes all close at 3.00. Perhaps we could contact them, pleading our case!!

Back on the bus and heading for home, we were all satisfied with our day out enjoying the exercise in the country air and sunshine.

Lunch with a view December 2021.