| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | ||
| Standards | Janice | Warren | Judy S | |
| Alternates | Les | Pip | Marie-Therese |
Stats: distance 14.63km, elevation gain – see below, time 5hrs 20 mins
We were 34 strong for our Port Hills walk. En route to the Standards’ drop off at McCormacks Bay we happily handed round the bus repeat Grandad Brent M’s chocolates and welcomed the arrival of twins Sophie and Miles to the tramping club whānau. After dropping off the Alternates at John Britten Reserve, Driver Tony and his bus were required elsewhere until 1pm. We hoped the forecast hail didn’t happen before then. It didn’t. Once again the weather gods smiled on us, a few rain-spots before morning tea and the day cleared.
It’s a meandering “curly wurly” sort of walk. And enjoyable for that. Janice led the 27 Standards at a good clip. Her check-ins with trampers received “ecstatic” responses. I’m advised Les did the same with the 7 Alternates. Both groups’ walks afforded the customary good company and conversation. A pole was lost and recovered on the part of the Alternates. A number of cyclists were encountered and made way for on the part of the Standards.
A group of sheep ‘posing’ on a rock was seen. Had they been young humans a selfie might have been taken. Five boats sat on a tranquil sea waiting to go into port.
Lunchtime conversation included kitchens and Ukraine. On the descent beneath some gnarly old pines a tale was told of a tramper who used to run this road and got dive-bombed from behind by a magpie. Stabbed on the head, her white T-shirt had blossomed spectacularly red by the time she reached Sumner.
Distracted by Clifton Hill’s blooming roses and gardens a small group of Standards went off piste near the end. Thanks to Jan Br’s retracing of steps they were quickly set right. For the Standards the end came after an elevation gain of 880m according to the NZ Maps app or 773m according to the Suunto watch app. Had a second tramper who also wears a Suunto watch, been walking with us, apparently he may have had a different number. Go figure!
There was time for ice-creams at Redcliffs on the way home. Thank you to Tony for his flexible parking.
Jen C
