On Friday 19th January I was joined by ten other club members in Kinloch. We were lucky enough to secure 2 houses in the same street (I would like to take credit for this convenience; however, it was luck). On Saturday morning, we embarked on the northern end of the Great Lake Cycle Trial, or for those that like to be geographically technical, - The north section of the Whangamata Bay section. For this section it involved a 1 km walk from our accommodation to the beginning of the trial. The weather was forecast for rain and wind. We were very lucky to only have morning showers warm weather and a gentle breeze. We had decided on 2 groups of walkers, the walkers on holiday and the walkers who thought a holiday was an extra 10km of walking. On Saturday evening it was house one who were responsible for putting on a dinner. During this meal and the days walk, club members compared who had the better accommodation. A rain jacket becomes soaked on the inside and outside on a hot rainy day. That a small stone in the shoe always migrates to the point of maximum irritation or Annemette theory of irritation. The return distance is faster and shorter than the former. The width of pack back straps decreased with distance, however the weight of the back pack increased with distance and that House One new how to put on a good spread. On Sunday we walked the South Section of the trial or the Kawakau Section. Another 1 km walk from our accommodation to the starting line. Again, we divided into 2 groups the holiday pacers and the holiday racers. The weather was forecast initially for thunder storms with heavy rain. All I can say is that meteorologists use a dart board to predict the weather. It was hot, dammed hot and most members looked like cooked crayfish after a few minutes of walking, but I wouldn’t call them a delicacy. On a hot day the modesty goes out the window and all members stripped off most of their cloths and went for a nice cool dip in Lake Taupo after the walk. They told me it was lovely trying to coax me in for a dip. - Sure, if you’re an arctic fish. It was cold but admittedly refreshing. On Sunday evening house 2 put on a spread. There was strategic planning by members in house 2 and from my observations a well-run military operation went into action organised by Judith and Denise. There was blood sweat and swearing. During the day and evening the following topics were discussed. Average temperature increases with the amount of extra clothing you’re carrying in your day pack and the weight of a day pack never remains uniformly distributed I believe that a weekend away with walking is an event to be remembered with epic stories and funny tales about who snored the loudest, who ran out of toilet paper, who packed the best lunch. Walking strengthens bonds and support, and encouragement helps every-one overcome self-doubt and apprehension.

Linda Fowler