| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Selwyn | Judy R | Linda M |
| Alternates | Bev | Joanne | Ailsa |
Statistics: Statistics: distance 14/9km, elevation gain 155m, time 4hr 30mins
On a very cold and bleak morning 36 trampers braved the conditions for this year’s Charteris Bay to Purau/Diamond Harbour loop walk. After the last pickup at Halswell and a short bus ride through Gebbies Pass we arrived at Charteris Bay at 9:40am. Shortly after, we were walking north along Marine Drive then onto Bayview Road stopping on the roadside at 10:20am briefly for morning tea. Continuing on we passed the Mt Herbert walkway directly above Diamond Harbour village then turned sharply south onto the very muddy old stock road (Purau loop) arriving at Purau Bay at just after 11:00am, having walked about 5km so far. We stopped for a quick break at Purau then turned north onto the Coastal Cliff walkway back towards Diamond Harbour.
At midday we stopped in the pine forest just off the walkway above Diamond Harbour for our lunch break. By now the northeasterly had got up and a few of us were complaining about how cold it was. Hence our lunch break was short, about 20 mins. We were on our way again on the walkway passing Diamond Harbour wharf and onto Diamond Harbour beach. At the west end of the beach we were once again on the coastal cliff walkway making our way towards Church Bay arriving there just before 2pm. Continuing on the walkway we were soon at Hays Bay.
Previously our route back to the bus at Charteris Bay was to gain the road above Hays Bay.
This time, benefitting from Steve’s local knowledge, we stayed on the walkway then found the track above and down into Hays Bay, walking past the Charteris Bay Yacht club and around to our waiting bus, arriving at about 2:45pm. The Alternates walked the same route, with a pick up at Diamond Harbour.
A good winter’s day out on a cold overcast day with picturesque views along the bays. Fortunately the rain stayed away. Kudos to the weather team for making the right call.
Tex by Stuart C
