We started the walk a little later than scheduled due to bad signage to the Johnson’s Hill carpark. But 12 of us were soon making our up the steep bush track leading to the top of Johnsons Hill. This track was in beautiful bush and also had a lot of very steep steps to clamber up. Just as well it was not a hot day and that little bit overcast! The view at top was worth the climb, but it was quite windy. After a drinks break and group photo, we made our way down the other side to join the Skyline Walkway. From here it was along the walkway passing the old Kilminster Homestead on the way until we reached the 4-wheel drive track to take us down into Chartwell. This route took us down the hill and then halfway back up again before descending down to the horse paddocks. There were 3 horses grazing here. We stopped to say hello to one very friendly horse before heading across the still. On the other side was a sign asking people not feed the horses as 1 was diabetic. I bet that was the one lining up to say hello in the hopes of getting a treat! Then it was another short climb up to the road. Conveniently there is a picnic table right by the road, so it was a great spot to have lunch as we had been walking for 2 hours by then. After much needed sustenance, we made our way by road around to Otari Reserve and walked the bottom part of the Circular Walk through the bush. At Troup Lawn we had another rest to take advantage of the toilet. Then it was off onto the lower part of the Blue Trail which took around to Karori Cemetery and a track leading up to Johnson’s Hill. This Blue Trail had a lot of steps in it and undulated through the bush. Some of our group were starting to feel very tired, so seven of us took the track to the cemetery while five pushed on back up the track to Johnson’s Hill. The seven took a wee rest before I lead them up another hill around the Lawn Cemetery to what I thought was the entrance to Standen St. Instead, we just went in a circle (oh dear!). I tried again by heading straight ahead and along here was a memorial to Mrs Chippy, the cat taken onboard Shackleton’s failed expedition to Antarctica. Mrs Chippy didn’t make it home. This time I was on the correct route and we were soon back out on the main road and walked up to our agreed meeting place, the pub on the corner of Hatton St. We had thought we would all arrive about the same time, but we had been there for about 30 minutes before the others arrived. Apparently, the track took them back up to the Skyline Walkway, so the had to climb Johnsons Hill again and come straight back down. They were more than ready for a drink! Chris took the drivers back up the hill to collect our cars and I wasn’t home until 4.30pm. It had been a big day!   

Lead - Judith O’Leary

Walkers: Denise Arcus, Mark and Helen Bassett, Trisha Smith, Gordon Smith, Nichole Prahmn, Lorraine Shindler, Andrea Meyer, Sue Barton, Suz Best, and Chris Martin