16-17 March 2019

Leader: Marian Cox

Six of us met up in Paekakariki on the Saturday and travelled as far as Featherston. Coffee and breakfast were the order of the day!

We had our obligatory stop at Ngawi in order to admire the area, and its tractors. Onwards to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, the many wooden steps up to it, and the breeze to blow away any cobwebs. Lovely views.

Tramping boots and day packs were then donned, and in bright sunshine we walked along the coast, enjoying the sight of seals, old settlement ruins, the sea colours, cloud shapes, rocks and splashing-over waves. About 7km later, we arrived at the old Ngapotiki Hut site. It was such a lovely spot for sitting under the trees and eating our lunches. And it was a great pity that the hut had apparently been vandalised.

On our way to the road end, we visited the waterfall near the end of the Waitetuna Stream, where some of us cooled off in the lower pool. We drove to the start of the Mangatoetoe Hut walk, donned our larger packs, and walked 1 1/2 hours to the hut. It was easy walking as flooding had caused huge washouts and had also taken away most of the scratchy buddleia. The hut was a welcome sight after our longer than anticipated mileage/meanderings, and was clean and tidy, inside and out. We all put up tents and had a cosy enjoyable evening by Owen's fire near the hut.

Sunday morning began with another fire (!), followed by a pleasant walk out. A drive to Lake Onoke, a short walk to the fascinating fast-flowing outlet, fish and chips at the Lake Ferry Hotel, and coffee and cake at a cafe soon after! Then on to Featherston. Some of us enjoyed the Fell Museum there, and others returned home.

All in all, a lovely relaxed weekend.

Those on the trip were:

John Glover, Pam Glover, Chantal Heller, Kate Livingston, Marian Cox, Owen Cox