| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Lynne R | Dave R | Jen C |
| Alternates | Bev | Ali | Ailsa |
Distance and elevation gain: Standards 12km & 630m (approx.); Alternates 11km
Today we did the Flock Hill Station Farm Walk. I did this walk last year for the first time so was looking forward to an enjoyable day out again and wasn’t disappointed.
After a welcome by new President Selwyn and courtesy of bus driver Tony we arrived at our drop off point on SH73 at 10:15am and were pleased to see clearer skies after the drizzle of Christchurch.
14 Alternates including Margaret – visitor and friend of Joanne, set off shortly after the 20 Standards and we soon warmed up with the brisk pace set by our leader. We walked along the fenceline for about 20 minutes before arriving at a gate and the farm track proper. I noticed that there were still remnants of burnt stumps from the fire several years ago.
We headed downhill then, until morning tea at 11:20am passing the Standards having theirs – a rare occasion to pass them. By that time woolly hats and jackets were swapped out for sunhats for the rest of the day.
More and more of the magnificent and dramatic limestone tors came into view until reaching the rather rustic, well-equipped toilet where we veered left to go up the rock covered hills. These limestone rocks were formed 30 to 40 million years ago when the region was submerged under a shallow sea. Later tectonic activity uplifted this seabed and erosion by wind and water carved the rock into their current shapes. The name Flock Hill apparently comes from the rocks along the ridges resembling a flock of sheep.
Linley managed to climb to the largest rock, posing as we waited for her to burst into song. After a scrambling climb to the top, some going one way and the others another, we then headed up another steep grassy hill to the ridge for panoramic 360 degrees of the area.
After catching our breath it was a walk along the ridgeline marvelling at the views and rock formations, looking for the gate and next orange pole where lunch beckoned at 1pm, a fantastic spot with views and rocks for everyone to sit.
After lunch we set off downhill back to the bus passing still more rocks, and onto a narrow track dodging moss covered matagouri and the odd muddy patch.
Back at the bus by 3pm we headed to Christchurch with the only obstacle being a flock of sheep on Old West Coast Road.
Another great day out and enjoyable tramp. Txt by Maureen
