| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Judy R | Chris S | Frank |
| Alternates | Wendy | Ali | Moira |
Standards: Distance 14km, elevation gain 513m, time 4hrs 30mins
Alternates: Distance 10 km, time 4 hrs
“Easy, undulating, farm tracks, great views”. That sounds a pretty idyllic walk!
After departing Bishopdale we picked up two strays in Woodend and became a total of 43 willing walkers, keen to undertake this North Canterbury farm outing, in an area not generally accessible to the public. Our driver was Garth, there were 28 Standards and 15 Alternates with three visitors, Diane, Richard and Taylor joining us. Chris H brought along chocolates, always good to celebrate another year, a welcomed treat.
Setting off from the bridge over a very narrow chasm, our boots walked in easy rhythm traversing ancient paths that were first explored by Maori approx. a millennium ago. Not a dinosaur in our group of many retired people – we are more like the feisty and curious weka (DOC bird description). No weka seen today, but a pair of magpies and a hawk soared on a thermal. Also sighted were flocks of sheep, white butterflies on the brassica crop, lots of cow dung – mucky on boots – lush rolling farmland, stunning limestone country.
The “trolley problem” was considered in light of the three gate question, which one to take, what might be the consequence of going through a different gate? The Alternates were definitely on the right path, the Standards were more challenged in choosing, with some strong consultation as to which to follow. Standards also took a longer route, up, over and along different farm tracks.
However, all tracks eventually led to the Old Weka Pass Road and the waiting bus, though not before the Standards had the under or over gate dilemma. Some slimmer members were able to squeeze under the locked white gate, while others clambered over. Fortunately the obstacle was circumnavigated before lunch. Both groups had lunch stops at different barns, the Standards’ one a bit barren, while the Alternates sat comfortably on hay bales or stacked wood. We all bypassed the distinctive deteriorating sheets of metal – more sculpture-like than storage.
Finally at the bus, the Alternates were able to offload the Mega Nuts Chocolate Bar which had been inadvertently left behind on the hillside. The owner of this was deduced from close scrutiny of a photo taken at morning tea. Despite the dramatic views, good company and conversation, alas, there had been a (brief) discussion on divvying up the chocolate bar – or not.
Standards arrived at the bus about 30 minutes after the Alternates. With the early completion of the walk, there was time for a short stop at Amberley to round off another day of adventure with BTC in the great outdoors. Idyllic indeed!
Marie-Therese
