| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Graham | Brent | Jan Bw |
| Alternates | Ali | Ailsa | Michele |
Distance: 18km
After last week’s low numbers, it was a pleasure to have a great turn out of trampers, with the number steadily increasing to a total of 39 by the time we set off on Wednesday. Unfortunately, we caused a minor headache for our ever reliable and oh-so-obliging bus company. Heather had to scramble to find us another bus – theirs being fully booked for the day. When Lawrence appeared in the carpark driving a Harkerss vehicle we didn’t quite know what to make of it. It most definitely was a hybrid – not a clean green electric vehicle but the other sort of hybrid – a truck cab and chassis with a bus on top!! Despite it being a little “ugly” it served our purposes well, being clean and comfortable and up to the task of depositing the Standards at the Sign of the Bellbird before making a second stop at the Sign of the Kiwi for the 17 Alternates to alight.
As the numbers reflect, this is a popular walk for our club members. Steady rain as we started off meant jackets were donned but the cool, calm conditions were otherwise perfect for what we knew was going to be a long trek. The rain soon stopped necessitating another brief halt for a further change of clothing (at this point one can easily distinguish the optimists from the pessimists). With harbour views to our right and the city and plains on our left, there is much to distract walkers, but no untoward incidents were reported. We were all delighted that during the day we met plenty of other people out enjoying walking in the hills.
Our day was largely uneventful but morning tea at the Sign of the Kiwi proved too much of a temptation for three of our number who disappeared briefly to emerge from the café with the largest date scones in Christchurch. Mindful of the “loaves and fishes” story, I’m sure these could have been shared with their 19 mates but all such hints fell on deaf ears.
Wise heads decided that there was no need for us to ascend Mt Vernon and we skirted around it as we moved steadily towards our destination. The walk for the Standards is 18km with no challenging ascents but rather a quietly undulating trek which nevertheless provides a good workout. Viewing a cruise ship in Lyttelton Harbour, I was reminded of the time I Inquired at the tourist centre in the township whether or not they suggested to visitors that a worthwhile activity would be to take one of the many tracks to the top of the Port Hills to enjoy the views that are free. The response I got suggested that I needed a reality check!
Before we knew it, the bus was in view at Evans Pass and very shortly thereafter we met up with our other group. The Alternates reported that their walk was uneventful which at our age we all agree is a good thing. The graffiti on the gun emplacements and signage on Mt Pleasant has prompted one member to make a complaint to the CCC where she was quickly redirected to DoC. I don’t think there is much hope of a prompt or pleasing outcome from the call.
Our leaders and mentor did a fine job, with Ali being commended for yet again setting a pace which enabled everyone to enjoy the day’s walk including no shortage of conversation. For the Standards, Brent says he continues to enjoy the mentoring role – especially when leaders know the route and require no input from him!! Well done, everyone.
Text by Jan BW
