| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Jan Br | Chris S | Brent McC | Glenys D |
| Alternates | Ali M | Bill W | Joanne F | Margaret C |
Distance 15km, ascent 672m, time approx. 4hrs 45mins
Thirty-four eager trampers including one visitor Judy S, gathered at Bishopdale keen for some country air and a work out on Foxdown Farm in North Canterbury. Picking up two further members on the roadside, and then a toilet stop in Amberley still saw us entering the farmyard at 10.00am. Since our 2022 visit an extensive carpark for visitors had been created (our driver Victor was delighted), along with a large building which included a farm office and three toilets.
Andy Fox, the fourth-generation guardian of this land spoke briefly to the group, telling us a little of the history of his ancestors who first settled here. Coming from Somerset they were unused to windy conditions and the nor’wester was not to their liking. The original homestead had been built in a hollow in order to give some shelter from the worst of the wind. As the weather had turned wet enroute, and then cleared to a light drizzle we were keen to benefit from his local knowledge as to what conditions were in store. Telling us to turn to view the large peak in the background he indicated that this was somewhat of a barometer for the area. If its summit, slightly lower than Mt Alexander was covered in cloud then that is what we could expect when we reached our destination. He added that the complete absence of any breeze indicated that the overcast conditions would linger for the day. This was welcome news as our 2022 trip was noteworthy for the very windy conditions encountered.
There was no stopping this year to admire the new Foxdown Lodge, and encountering a young couple in a car descending the farm track from that direction it is perhaps just as well that we hadn’t been peering in windows, trying out the “bath with a view” etc as we did the year before.
Mindful of writing this report and providing some new information, I spent the first hour repeating to myself the name of the “weather gauge” used by Andy. Unfortunately, somewhere between morning tea and lunch my mind followed my legs into a bit of a sulk, and the name was gone. The next hour was spent sorting through the options – Mt Observation? Mt Sentry? Mt Danger? Hmm! Close perhaps, but not right. Thankfully at lunch, the reliable Peter proved to be both more attentive and retentive and immediately provided – Mt Lookout! At this point, we should acknowledge that to heck with local knowledge and Mt Lookout being swathed in mist – we enjoyed our lunch in beautifully clear, calm conditions enjoying the surrounding views. Better still, on the trek back to the bus, the sun came out reinforcing the great job done each week by our weather gurus.
The Alternates arrived as we were finishing our lunch so we reluctantly gave up our “comfortable” rocky seats and started homeward. It was understandable that those members for whom Mt Alexander was a new experience could expect that the second half of the day would be mostly downhill. However, towards the end of the trek there are a couple of uphill slogs which provide the sting in the tail. As we descended from the last of these we caught up with the Alternates who were returning via the outward route. This was a very happy meeting, meaning neither group had to wait for the other, as can happen. The Alternates too, had had a pleasant event-free outing and perhaps may have beaten us back if they had not been gathering pine cones for one of their number.
Word soon spread of the opulence of the new “ablution block” and for those who missed out, the couch, sofa, microwave and beer will have to be checked out on the next visit. Andy Fox’s welcome to visitors is genuine, and he acknowledged that the Bishopdale Tramping Club has been visiting for 30 years. In turn, we are grateful to be able to spend a day in such an environment.
Text by Jan B
