Summary of events.

Thursday 6th February. 

14 club members attended the Waitangi Stratford adventure.

Linda, Helen, Mark, Heather, Lyn, AnneMette, Anna Kay, Rob, Sue, Helena, Jeannine, Judith, Denise, and Sharon. Eleven club members met at Lake Rotokare, a short distance from Stratford, where we did a loop walk around the lake which took about one hour. This was a protected wildlife sanctuary with an impressive predator fence and gate system to keep unwanted pests out. Despite this, Heather still managed to penetrate the fence line. The first day was sunny and hot so when we arrived at the Stratford Holiday Park some of our members took advantage of the swimming pool. 

Friday 7th February.

 I decided we would travel in a convoy to the Dawsons falls visitor centre. All I can say is - That one car went in the wrong direction heading back to Wellington and 2 other cars drove past the leading parked car to Dawsons falls. Somehow, we all ended up in the right place. We had to fight for parks competing with crazy overseas camper van drivers. We did several walks. The Dawson Falls Power Station. This had one of the oldest continuously operating generators in the world. The Dawson falls walk and the Wilkies Pools Loop. The temperature dropped from 25 degrees to 12 degrees in 1 hour. Luckily, we were all experienced trampers and the flash expensive weather gear came out. Or that's what you would think, until all the bargain purchases at the second-hand shops or sales were divulged. As usual, Judith and Sharon were taking more photos than a spy in a military arms factory. The walks were a little technical in places and the favoured manoeuvring position was used by most club members. The infamous backward descent on the posterior position. We had a brief visit to a public garden that provided free tea and coffee, comfortable chairs, and magazines to read. Thank-you Judith for a great suggestion. 

On Friday night the group enjoyed a shared potluck dinner and wines. 

Saturday 8th February.

In the morning, we did the York walk, at the suggestion of Judith. This was an amazing walk. It was an old quarry that processed rocks for the local roads in the early 1900's. Workers had built an aqueduct around 2km long that removed soil from the rocks. The quarry was serviced by a Railway track that we walked along. You could still see the remains of bunkers and tracks.  We went back to our accommodation afterwards and had lunch. Then in the afternoon 14 of us started the Carrington Walkway in Stratford. We walked to the clock tower in town. Within 20 minutes I had lost 9 members who decided that coffee was more alluring than walking. 

Within an hour I lost the remaining 4 walkers who succumbed to the wild call of the bean cafe. I was left alone and abandoned. I completed the Eastern side of the Carrington track which was actually worth the effort. Although I would skip the town side and join the track off Swansea Street in the future. 

On Saturday evening leftovers were enjoyed from the previous evening and Sharon brought a game out that required general knowledge and Cunning communication skills. As I predicted, Sharon thrashed us all. If you don't mind losing then you will enjoy playing board and card games with Sharon. 

On Sunday we departed Stratford. I personally had a great weekend and thank you to all who attended for your wonderful company. 

Lead by: Linda

 Walkers: Mark and Helen Bassett, Sue and Rob Dixon, Heather Bassett, Anne-Mette Kvers, Lynn Marden, Denise Arcus, Judith O’Leary, Jeannine Muir, Sharon Dunstan, Helena Cowan, and Anna Kay