2025-06-18 < Weekly activities > 2025-07-02
Activity summary: Wednesday 2025 June 25 to Tuesday 2025 July 01
Matariki Walks & Shared Lunch/East Harbour Lakes Tree Planning Project/Orongorongo Valley
Wednesday
All Grades ‘Matariki Walks and shared lunch’, Wed 25/6 40M
The Wednesday group celebrated Matariki with a happy gathering for all our grades, at the Wilton Bowling Club. Our shared culinary talents combined to create a scrumptious feast. There were about 40 of us in all - 17 walkers plus 23 extras for the lunch - enjoying the chance to catch up with friends we don’t see all that often.
A special thank you to Michele Dickson who has been organising this event for a good number of years. She nobly held the fort and did all the organising of the hall and the food so that everything was ready when the hungry trampers returned from their preceding two-hour walks. Michele also led the big cleanup at the end. We very much appreciate her work in making our Matariki party a pleasure for us all.
Reports from the two walks follow:
Blue Trail Walk at Ōtari. (Muriel Christianson)
Seven trampers completed the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Blue trail, making our way to the picnic ground, then crossing the bridge over the rushing stream, and up the muddy and slippery trail. We delighted in the many fallen kohekohe flowers on the track and the sprays of flowers magically sprouting straight out of the trunks. We stopped briefly at Moko, the 800 year old Rimu tree, then continued uphill to the junction with the track leading up to the Skyline Walkway.
Kerry and Joan then took an early exit, with the other team members cautiously descending the many steps to the more gentle section of track returning to the picnic ground. From there we made our way up through Ōtari to the welcome lunch laid out for us at the Wilton Bowling Club. An enjoyable trip, luckily between rain showers earlier and later in the day.
Popplewell, Dudley Finter, Penny Salmond, David Campbell
Wilton Exploration. (Rob Handyside)
Although the suburb of Wilton is only 3-4 kms from the heart of the city, it is shielded from city lights and sounds by Ahumairangi. It is a suburb rather underrated by visitors who are attracted to the Otari/Wilton Bush side of the valley which Wilton overlooks.
Ten TTC members were ready to explore Wilton as soon as a heavy shower had passed through. We climbed two long sets of steps which lead up to Cecil Road and the entrance to the Western Slopes Reserve. The weather had cleared sufficiently to enjoy the views of the valley, including a bird’s eye view of the Bowling Club we had started from 30 minutes earlier.
It is easy walking through the Reserve, down the southern slopes of Ahumairangi to Ian Galloway Park. We entered the Ōtari Bush near the sports pavilion for a leisurely walk back along the stream to join the trampers who had been enjoying alternative circuits.
Robin Chesterfield, Susan Guscott, Virginia Ashcroft, Karen Vaughan, Howard Larsen, Paul Bruce
Weekend:
East Harbour Lakes Tree Planting Project’ led by Jane-Pyar Mautner, Sat 28/6 7M
Planting at Parangarahu Lakes.
After a wet wintery week, the forecast offered a clearing window so planting went ahead. The trip leader was recovering from Covid and met the group of 7 committed TTCers at Burdan’s Gate to see them off. They drove in convoy with ranger Jo Greenman in a heavy downpour and through waterfilled potholes. Despite this, much planting was achieved, and sodden bodies took brief refuge in the minimal shelter of trees for a late morning tea. The weather never cleared so by early afternoon they returned home for a late lunch.
One participant’s feedback was: “In spite of weather, I really enjoyed time out in that wonderful area with great company and under Jo’s direction. Having four layers on really made a difference in the quite exposed areas. She noted that as we were TTCers, we would be able to deal with the inclement weather. The muffins were really tasty and I couldn’t resist nabbing two.”
There will be a second opportunity for planting at Baring Head in July. Watch the trip calendar.
TTC organiser: Jane-Pyar Mautner
‘Annual Grandparents’ Trip’ co-ordinated by Lynne White, Tues 01/7
Seven adults and 11 children aged 6 – 15, spent a cosy night at Haurangi Hut in the Ōrongorongo Valley on Tuesday night. Most walked in along the East Whakanui Track which was sufficiently challenging and a smaller group came along Five Mile Track, arriving early enough to get the fire going and the billy on in time to welcome the rest of us. We had perfect weather to walk in and even a clear night sky for night photos down by the river. A good time was had by all.
Total 47 Members, plus 7 adults & 11 grandchildren on the grandparents' trip.