| Group | Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tailender |
| Stds | Steve G | Peter/Alan | Warren | Janice |
| Alternates | Norma | Leonie | Ali | Min |
Stats: distance 13km, ascent approx. 400m, time 4hrs
A picture-perfect winter’s day today – sunny, cool, no wind. On the bus ride to Heathcote, Dave B took on the role of president in the absence of Bev and Judy. There were 36 trampers on the bus with 16 walking in the standard group and 20 with the alternative group. Viktor was driving. Dave advised of the change of tramp for next week from Mt Richardson to Huntsbury/Mt Vernon. He also advised that the website now featured a page about the history of the club which made for very interesting reading.
We arrived at Heathcote to the sound of a helicopter hovering above the gondola building where it appeared work was underway. At 9.13 am we set off up the Bridle Path, but it wasn’t long before a stop was necessary to shed clothing. We then trundled up to the Summit Road and enjoyed morning tea beside the memorial which celebrates the women who walked the Bridle Path after arriving by boat in Lyttelton. The memorial contains a relief picture of people making that trek with the following words:
“On this spot the pioneer women of Canterbury and their families rested after their climb from the port of Lyttelton and gazed with awe but with courage upon the hills and plain of Canterbury where they were to make their homes.”
Or these words from an 8-year-old which were on an information board at the beginning of the track:
“Our march out of Lyttelton that day resembled nothing so much as the flight of the population from some besieged city. Every article of household requirements, bedding, etc had to be carried on our backs.)
We then carried on to Pony Point which was going to be our destination for lunch past the shipyard, Corsair Bay and Cass Bay (with another viewing of the copper house). However, as it was only 11.30 am when we arrived, the decision was made to return to Cass Bay for lunch where we sat in the sun and relaxed with no time pressure. On our return from Pony Point we were surprised to see the alternative group appearing out of the bush as they had bush bashed up a different track to the one, we took. The usual track appeared to be closed but in fact it was the coastal track that was closed not the one we were on.
We carried on after lunch to the Stan Helms track and made our way uphill to the Summit Road on a fairly good track but not the highway of the Bridle Path. Steve, our first-time leader, kept up a good pace. We descended to Heathcote where our bus awaited and had time enough to indulge the hotel goers and the coffee goers in refreshments before arriving back at Bishopdale at 4 o’clock. A great day out enjoyed by all. Txt by Janice
…and here’s a report from Ray on the Alternative’s day out:
The Alternatives gathered at the start of the Bridal Path with the anticipation of a hard climb to the Summit Road. Steady progress was made up the steep track with several breaks to look at the view and recover our breath. Morning tea was taken at about the half-way point and everyone was pleased to have the rest.
At the top the group went down the Bridle Path to Lyttelton and on to Cass Bay and Pony Point where lunch was taken. The track up to Pony Point proved more difficult than normal with the coastal track closed and some bush bashing needed to reach the reserve.
The journey back to the Te Ana Marina was a very pleasant walk with views across the harbour. At the marina there is an interesting Maori tauihu sculpture which is a traditional design signifying the prow attachment of a war canoe.
