Distance 6.5km, elevation 385m

It was good to have some associate members join us, who had a pleasant morning exploring Amberley township. Two other non-tramping members also met us for the Christmas lunch.

With a forecasted high of 24 – 28 degrees, 19 Standards set off at pace along the Mount Cass walkway track: https://transwastecanterbury.co.nz/walkways/mt-cass-walkway-2/

Seventeen Alternates followed at a slower gait, some discussing the effort involved in an immediate climb after departing the bus, although a warm-up on such a hot day would not necessarily have been a good thing. A step into a fresh cow pat might also have best been avoided, but such things sometimes do happen on farm tracks.

The loop track takes about three hours to complete if a morning tea stop is included. Standards went clockwise to achieve a grand view from a’top Mt Cass (524m), while Alternates went in the opposite direction on a less steep route to the lookout point. The two groups bypassed each other along the way with the Alternates eventually retracing their steps.

Interestingly with the ten-minute interval between the two groups, the Alternates had a view of a distant fire to the south, a plume of black smoke billowing skywards. The location was impossible to pinpoint from afar, but was later identified as being a house fire in Northcote.

Throughout this shorter walk we were rewarded with panoramic views of the Waipara – Omihi Valley, Pegasus Bay and Banks Peninsula. Billowy cirrocumulus and lenticular clouds made a delightful background to photo opportunities. Throughout the walk members performed sterling service of gate keeping duties, opening and shutting gates as required.

Phil, our driver, was waiting for us on our return to the bus, where a change of clothing was undertaken prior to being transported the short distance back to the Amberley Hotel. By now the temperature was 28 deg. Our thirst was vanquished with cold drinks before hotel staff delivered our pre-ordered meals. These hit the spot with a good choice for hungry walkers.

Our departure to the city was a little challenged with no waiting bus. Within a short time, the driver returned to collect his waiting passengers, having in the interim done a shorter local pick up of another group.

Companionship, exercise, food, laughter, what’s not to enjoy? The walk and the lunch were an enjoyable conclusion to Bishopdale Tramping Club’s formal tramping programme for 2025.

Text by Marie-Therese

Stds Morning tea

Stds view from the top.

Stds group photo at the top.

Heading down with view of Pegasus Bay and Canterbury plains to the Port Hills.

After tramp getting ready for lunch

Enjoying Lunch

Enjoying Lunch

Enjoying lunch

Statistics:  Distance 12km/10.1km, elevation 975m, Time 4hr 30min

It is always a relief to see a Tranzit bus turning into the carpark at Bishopdale, especially when it’s an 8am start. Our driver Gary negotiated his way through all the commuter traffic to our pick-up stop at Halswell, then to our Little River loo stop and on to Akaroa where we arrived at 10am.

The 23 Standards noticed straight away how pleasantly warm it was as we walked through the streets to Woodills Track North where we started an unrelenting slog uphill. ‘Pleasantly warm’ soon turned into oppressively humid. There were glorious patches of shade to enjoy, but of course, the nasty native nettle onga onga likes the shade too. Much less scary was the long grass along the narrow track in the open areas, with bracken, gorse and broom alongside.

By the time we had trudged up to our morning tea spot at the Heritage Reserve some of us were already feeling a bit worse for wear. It was just a little disconcerting to be aware that the clever Alternates had had the sense to stay on the bus and be effortlessly transported directly to this spot.

So, with the 15 Alts well ahead of us we set off up the Curry Track towards Purple Peak. The name Curry comes from the Curry family who owned this land from the 1870s through to 2015 when the 190 ha Purple Peak Curry Reserve was formed and sheep and cattle were removed. But why the name ‘Purple Peak’? I have no information so will fudge it with two theories of my own. Maybe the native poroporo plant with its purple flowers was more prolific before farming and the gorse took over? Or just maybe, once a rum-addled sailor looked up and saw a hazy peak high above, and insisted persuasively that it was coloured purple?

Gorse is helping the reserve to regenerate, as it has in the neighbouring Hinewai Reserve.  However, the sight of the occasional magnificent pre-European trees like tōtara and mataī showed what has been lost. A few people commented that the emerging forest had a bit of a pre-historic or jungle feel to it.

After reaching the carpark at Brocheries Road we raced up to the summit of Purple Peak – actually, no!!! We merely walked on a little further to the Browntop Saddle between Purple Peak and the more impressive Stoney Bay Peak. We then continued downhill on the Purple Peak track and had lunch soon after. Some of us Standards went a little further on to the shelter, with its promise of shade and great views of Akaroa, the harbour, and the Alps.  Unfortunately, the little structure was already occupied by the Alts who were still enjoying their lunch and in no hurry to move on.

Going downhill at last was pleasant and it didn’t take long to get to the Lower Woodills Track which we followed until we got to Grehan Valley Rd and we caught up with Alts when it morphed into Rue Grehan. We all made it back to the Akaroa Recreation ground at 3pm where our bus was waiting serenely by the sea.  El Presidente even remembered to grab his shoe bag out of the bushes where he had hidden it in the morning, after he found it had been erroneously pulled from the bus which by then had taken off to Long Bay Road with the Alts on board.  An uneventful trip ride back followed and we made it back to Bishopdale at 5pm.

A big shout-out to our proactive planning team who have added this excellent tramp to our already vast list of tramp locations.

Addendum: A famous New Zealander who grew up in this area was Frank Worsley, Ernest Shackelton’s Antarctic navigator in the early 20^th century. His adventurous childhood in the upper Grehan Valley and his later exploits make for interesting reading.

Text by Shirls

Awesome views over Akaroa Harbour

Alts group at elevation

Stds reach Curry Reserve

Alts lunch

Alts descent

Last leg back on Rue Grehan

Distance: 11 km, Elevation: 760m/640m, Time: 4hrs 45mins

Our trip to Awa Awa Reserve set out with 31 trampers, including our two guests Sharon and Chris, and two long-time associate members Norma Porter and David Eddy. We were all delighted to have Wendy back after her excitement this Winter. Our bus driver was Steve who sported some snazzy orange and purple striped socks. We arrived at the Reserve at about 10:15 to glorious weather.

Standards input from our esteemed President, Graham:

The group of 17 Standards set off with Peter as Leader setting a good pace. We stopped at the junction of Scott’s Saddle Track and Ridge Track for morning tea before continuing on up to the bench seat lookout. Plenty of treefall across the track from recent weather, testing our limbo skills for going under, and climbing skills for going over these. Some clearing work has been done, but our walk took longer than last year avoiding these hazards.

Continuing on, we got to our usual lunch spot about midday, at 1152m, with nice sun and no wind overlooking the Mt Hutt access road. No serious slips or falls on the walk, and we were back at bus just before 3pm, enjoying another opportunity to see the rhododendrons before the Alternate Group arrived.

Alternates input and remainder of report by Michele:

The 12 Alternates had the Standards in sight for about 4 minutes. After that, no sightings until they caught up with us at the Opuke Trail cutoff just above the parking area on the way down.

The trail up to morning tea is just a grunt, no other word for it. The Alternates addressed the challenge with about 5 “scenic time-outs” which their leader (me) attributed to making sure Wendy was fine and not to my own puffing. We had one fall on the way up, but of course the response was “I’m fine” and “I’ll clean it at lunch”. Our trusty tailender offered the entire medical kit when we stopped for tea, but “I’m fine” was the response.

We made our lunch spot at 12:30 where we too enjoyed the views. The return trip took just as long (right at 2 hours) as we carefully negotiated the logs referenced above and the holes in the trail hidden by overgrown grasses. We chose to take Alder Track instead of the Opuke Track, and were glad we did. It is slightly longer than Opuke, but it was a wider and better groomed trail although still quite steep in spots. Those comfortable with maths in the Alternates estimated the Alder Track was about twice as long as the Opuke Track, but we were happy with an additional 20 minutes.

It was a fairly quick trip back to Christchurch, back to wind and much cooler weather than we had at the Reserve. Another good BTC tramp (although the suggestion was made by my husband that night that perhaps we could bring a keg next time to reward us).

Text by Michele

Tramp begins through colourful garden area

Alts enjoy morning tea break

Stds await arrival of tailenders

Stds steady ascent

Stds at altitude…

Alts group photo at lunch

Stds descent after lunch

Stds muster on return stretch

Distance: 13.6/12km, ascent: 254m, time: 4hrs 30mins

Fine weather with a light westerly breeze greeted 41 trampers as we all set off at 10:30am up the Broken River road. The 24 Standards arrived at the Broken River road junction with the Dracophyllum track at 11:05 where we stopped for morning tea. A quarter of an hour later we were on our way descending about 100 metres southwest on the track, through beach forest, crossing Broken River stream at the bridge (one at a time) and onto Dracophyllum Flat, altitude 940 metres, which we reached at about 11:50am stopping briefly.

Continuing south on Dracophyllum track through light beech forest we emerged into a large open area of turpentine shrubs (Dracophyllum, but so named because it burns well even when wet). We arrived at our lunch stop, a shaded spot at 12:30.  The 17 Alternates arrived shortly after for their lunch break. Our lunch spot was well chosen as we were rewarded with great views of Mount Cheeseman (2031 metres) and Mount Izard (2019 metres) looming large above us west across the valley.

Lunch over, we continued on the track briefly then turned sharply east following a route gradually ascending a saddle to approx. 950 metres.  After a brief short and steep descent, we continued east crossing Broken River then turned north then climbed 100 metres or so onto an area of open level ground where we took a brief rest stop and enjoyed a panoramic view of the Craigieburn range. Then turning east again we walked briefly along an old stock road then down to our pick-up point at a layby area on Highway 73. Our leader Selwyn set a cracking pace throughout reaching our pick-up point at 3pm where we waited for 20 minutes for the bus to arrive. I understand he also found a pair of my socks inadvertently left behind.

Meanwhile the Alternates deviated from the planned route following a MTB track adjacent to Tims Stream ascending to point 910 then descending east to the Mt Cheeseman ski field road and out to the bus waiting at the Broken River bridge on Highway 73.

Text by Stuart Columbus

Stds muster in clearing

Leader adresses Stds after lunch

Descent to Broken River

Safe river crossing

Steep ridge climb

Resting after climb…

…& enjoying awesome views

Distance for Alternates: 14 km.   Distance for Standards: not as far as they had expected.

Where was the bus?  That all important component of our Wednesday outings was nowhere to be seen, as the 0800 hr departure time came and went. Dave our driver had misread his instructions, so it was a slightly delayed departure.

From the email received on Monday: “The Standards will summit Mt Oxford with its magnificent 360 degree views, while the Alternates will tramp to Ryde Falls”. These were pretty good predictors as this is what generally happens on the day. Or not. The adage “where there’s a will, there’s a way” might have crossed trampers’ minds, but as sometimes happens, the best will in the world can’t compete with a spring weather event. Fortunately, the foehn effect on the eastern side of the mountains meant there was no rain. Prudence went a long way to ensure that everyone returned safely home.

Mt Oxford and Ryde Falls are near Oxford township in the 11,350 hectare forest which features walking and mountain biking tracks and a recreational hunting area. It is an accredited Dark Sky Park – a wonderful area for stargazing. Both walks begin at Cooper’s Creek carpark a few minutes’ drive from the township.

We were all pleased to have our North American contingent slowly increasing in number with the return of Michele to down under.  Visitor Chris was also welcomed for the outing.

As the 12 Standards and 19 Alternates set off at 0930 hr, the NW wind was starting to increase. The Standards went up. The Alternates walked along an undulating course in the style of over and under, or occasionally through the branches of fallen trees, with the sporadic patch of bog to add to the challenge. Generally, the track follows the contours of the hillside and is well maintained, although there were waratahs waiting to trip up an unwary walker. We concluded that these were planted mid track to stabilize particular areas.

The Standards enjoyed a lovely two hour uphill walk, to just beyond the treeline. After advancing a short distance and then with a distinct possibility of trampers being toppled over by the gale, it was deemed a good move to retreat. Alas for the Standards, today’s goal of summitting Mt Oxford was not meant to be. Lunch was enjoyed in a more sheltered spot downhill, out of the wind, before an early return to the bus, with a 90-minute wait for the Alternates to appear.

Meantime the Alternates enjoyed their break at the river’s edge, but not before most of the group had downed packs and walked on to view the lovely Ryde Falls. This short section is becoming a little more exciting with a fairly decent slip that is eroding the access. With the absence of sandflies or wasps, it is a pleasant place for an interlude. The return was via the same route, so we were somewhat prepared for a repeat of the navigational skills required.

The bus departed Cooper’s Creek at 1510 hrs. While the gale had partly disrupted one plan, it was agreed that the area is a lovely place to explore. On a day like today, the cobwebs are certainly blown away and any discomfort becomes secondary to another good day out.

Text by Marie-Therese

Trampers patiently await bus pick-up

Stds prepare to set off

Alts take morning tea break

Alts at fallen trees

All present & accounted for…

Stds enjoy lunch

Alts on return walk

Stds pause on a stream bridge during return

Stds progress to carpark & bus pick-up

On a fine spring morning with a forecast high of 19 C, driver Alan picked us up from Bishopdale with a larger than usual 50-seater bus and drove us across town to Morgans Valley in Heathcote.  With President Graham away, Selwyn welcomed everyone and assured us there was a wonderful day’s walking ahead.  Manoeuvering the bus at the drop-off location in narrow Morgans Valley was no easy task but Alan managed it with ease.

34 walkers (21 in the standard group and 13 in the alternative group) headed up the hill towards the John Britten Reserve on the Baa Baa Track. Lush spring grass growth and a lack of walkers made the path a bit indistinct but after a minor detour we reached Kenton Track.  There was a cool easterly breeze so we had morning tea in the shelter of some large rocks near the Summit Road.

Then it was on towards Mt Cavendish and the Major Hornbrook Track that runs from Summit Road down to Lyttelton.  At the top, we paused briefly to note two climbers practising their sport on a large rock.  But wait a minute, why have we stopped? One member has left his walking poles at the morning tea place and has gone back to collect them.  He’ll catch up with us later.  And as we paused in Somes Road at the bottom of the track, there he was, hot on our heels.

Through the back streets of Lyttelton we went and up onto the Urumau Reserve track.  After a stiff climb up the rocky ridge, it was 12.30 and time for lunch in a sunny and sheltered spot with great views of the Port Hills and Lyttelton township and port.

Our leader had us moving again at 1pm and we headed down to Sumner on the Crater Rim Walkway to Evans Pass and then the Captain Thomas Track from Evans Pass to Sumnervale Reserve where Alan was waiting with the bus.

For the standard group, the walk was almost 12 km long and the total elapsed time was close to 5 hours.  We climbed two significant hills, each of about 400m.  The alternative group finished their walk in Lyttelton and enjoyed lunch at the Timeball Station where they saw the dropping of the ball at 1pm – a signal used in bygone days by sailors to set their clocks.  A visit to the pie shop rounded off their Lyttelton visit for some of the group.

It happens that today was a memorable one for forgetting walking poles.  Two walkers walked on from a stop without their poles and had to retrace their footsteps while a third walker left her pole on the bus.  Senior moments all round.

A historical note.  Captain Thomas was the engineer and surveyor who worked for the Canterbury Association and chose the site for the settlement of Christchurch ahead of the arrival of the first four ships from England in 1850.

Text by Warren

Stds climb from Morgans Valley

Stds morning tea stop

Stds en route to lunch stop

Alts enjoy lunch at the Lyttelton Time Ball

Stds heading to Sumner destination

Statistics: distance 16.2/9km, ascent 776/507m, time 4hrs

It was a promising sunny, calm 9 degree morning in Christchurch, a predicted high of 18 degrees and north-westerly winds to become gusty in the afternoon. On our last two tramps we had battled strong winds so I was hopeful we would be on our descent when they strengthened.

Bus driver Alan had 34 trampers who included repeat visitor Sharon at the Ashley Forest at 9.52am. The 14 Alternates were dropped off first at Lake Janet to follow that track up through the pine forest. The Standards were driven cautiously a little further down the shingle road to begin their initial downhill walk at 10.10am. At the site of the ford with its busted concrete and picnic table we entered the forest to take the Mt Grey Track to the summit. This track zig zags its way up on the south side of the mountain through stunning beech forest; the occasional bellbird and the sound of running water adding to the enjoyment. There was no shortage of squelchy mud in the lower sections and some large logs to climb over or squeeze under.

Morning tea was earned at 10.45am on the track where, with steep banks either side, it meant we were blocking the way in places. Immediately two women and their dogs appeared with the larger dog very intent on gaining a morning tea treat.

It was at 12.10pm when we exited the bush to the open tussock basins and felt the full force of the wind, that we appreciated the protection the forest had provided.  Clothes that had been discarded were quickly donned again.

As we walked towards the trig our “falcon spotter” (had also sighted two at Mt Barossa) viewed an impressive falcon overhead squawking loudly. He felt that was to thank us for voting it the NZ BIRD of the YEAR. The NZ falcon (karearea) is on the $20 note, and the fastest bird in NZ at 200kmh in pursuit of prey.

The north west sky highlighted the battle that was happening with the weather with layers of black, shades of grey and even blue while the relentless wind seemed to gain intensity every minute. It was no easy battle but we reached the summit at 12.45pm for a quick photo at the trig.

Mt Grey, 934m, the lowest of the foothill mountains, is the closest to the coast and has the best 360-degree views. Maori call it Maukatere which translates to floating mountain. They believe the spirits of the dead left the summit for the long journey to Cape Reinga. If any spirits were leaving today they would be there very quickly.

Lunch was at 1pm after continuing along the track to the lee of the hill to offer some wind protection and glorious views of the Kaikoura Range where we could see Mt Tapuaenuku (Mt Tappy) glinting in the sun. This is the highest peak in the north east South Island. It’s good we have knowledgeable trampers who know and share these facts.

It was a quick descent to the bus through the flowering yellow broom, past the noisy communication tower and the lookout tower before the welcome protection of the pine forest again. I laughed when a tramper told me his friend once had a job in a lookout tower in a different forest. The best job he ever had, where he learned to play the guitar and had friends visit at regular intervals.

The Standards were back at the bus at 2.20pm where the Alternates had been waiting for approximately 40 minutes. When walking along the saddle before the final portion of track to the trig, they had made the wise decision to head back to the shelter of the forest for their lunch at 12.10pm.

There was time for a refreshment stop at Amberley to be back in Christchurch before 4.30pm after an exhilarating day with all cobwebs removed and wonderful views to savour.

Text by Kate

Stds set off…

…then pose on the bridge

Stds negotiate fallen tree

Alts break for morning tea

Alts group photo at Fire Lookout

Stds ascend Mt Grey

Stds group photo at summit

Stds return on forest trail

Some people might have used the word ‘crazy’ to describe us Bishopdale Trampers as we piled onto the bus at Bishopdale. We may just quietly have been calling ourselves that too. Why else would we be heading out tramping when we knew that the weather forecast was for more rain, with snow lowering to 100 or 200 metres and morning temperatures of less than 7°C? However, no one booked on today’s tramp had cancelled at the last minute and we came rugged up with mid-winter gear of jackets, beanies, gloves and/or neck warmers and overpants.

Another word you could use to describe us is ‘smart’.  After we had picked up the rest of the group at PMH Dave B was heard to announce that “there are lumps on the windscreen”. He wasn’t talking about bird poo. So, when we got out of the bus at the Halswell Quarry carpark, a clever alternative plan was soon worked out by Selwyn, Chris and Alan, to avoid us having to hike up the exposed track up to the sign of the Bellbird. We had a very early, totally undeserved morning tea in the stone hut before setting off as one group for an easy walk around the top of the quarry and through the park. A thank you to Chris S for guiding us around to the lovely Adelaide and Korean gardens.

Before long we were back at the bus and driving past what may have been the transport vehicles for our entire land-based defence force (here’s hoping the soldiers weren’t out searching for 29 half-frozen-to-death trampers). Soon we were ready for some more walking, starting at the Coronation Hill carpark above the Sign of the Kiwi. We had heard from one of today’s weather team (conspicuously absent) that he had encountered snow up at the gondola, so we weren’t surprised to see a very fresh dusting on Mt Herbert.

It was rather cold as we put the rest of our excellent Plan B into action, starting with a brisk walk down past the Kiwi. Then it was through the Sugarloaf reserve and down to Victoria Park for a bit of L&L (lunch and loos). We made it down to the Sign of the Takahe just after 1pm (it’s easy to walk briskly when it’s awfully cold and you’ve got to keep moving to avoid frostbite and hypothermia).

Our driver Grant was waiting at the Sign of the Takahe, and eight of the group elected to take the bus down to PMH. But for the rest of us it was quite a pleasant walk and the temperature was almost 8°C by the time we got down to PMH (we won’t mention the windchill).

I may possibly have been exaggerating about the frostbite and hypothermia, but it was rather nice to shed some of our layers and be chauffeured back to Bishopdale in our nice warm bus. So, thanks weather team, for encouraging us to be a little more resilient than we thought we were.

Text by Shirls

Arrival at Halswell Quarry

Group musters above Halswell Quarry

Following track to Victoria Park

Group Lunch at Victoria Park…

Ditto…

…Ditto

Statistics: Standards: climbed 814m, distance 7km.   Alternates: distance 11.2km.

As a consequence of three late withdrawals, 35 Bishopdale trampers boarded the bus for the foothills of Mid Canterbury on a cloudy morning, but with the promise of a sunny day ahead.  The promise was fulfilled by Mt Somers, with bright sunshine illuminating the snowy tops of the Main Divide in the distance.

The Standard group of 17 trampers alighted in the carpark leading into the Hakatere Conservation Park, looking rather apprehensively at the track heading up the mountain, while the Alternates sped off in the bus, heading for Lake Clearwater.

After about 20 minutes of climbing, Alan called a morning tea stop by a bubbling brook and informed us that we had completed the ‘warm up’ and now the real work was about to start. The incline certainly increased markedly from that point and there were a few gnarly spots to negotiate as we gained height rapidly.  While sunny, there was a brisk nor’wester keeping our temperatures moderated and Alan decided that it would a bit unpleasant at the top for lunch, so we lunched a bit below the summit in the shelter of some rocks.

It took another 15 minutes after lunch (three hours after commencing) to reach the top and we were rewarded with stunning views in all directions.  Out to the west, the snow-capped mountains of the Main Divide looked spectacular and there was some discussion about which distant peak was Aoraki/Mt Cook.  To complete the splendour of our experience, two karearea (native falcon) swooped nearby. A truly majestic sight.

There was considerable apprehension about the descent, given the gradient and some loose rock in places, but everyone managed well and we were back in the carpark in two hours, feeling satisfied with our day’s work and grateful to Alan for being such a patient and watchful leader.

Alternates’ Report

Arriving at Clearwater, we walked down to the picnic tables by the lake for morning tea. There was a cold wind so we settled on the grass in a more sheltered place. With a perfect blue sky, a view of snow-covered mountains and wind whipping up waves on the lake, our leader, Bev, led 18 keen trampers round the Lake Clearwater circuit track. After crossing a bridge at the east end of the lake and walking along the north side of the lake, we were facing a very strong cold wind, so it was a relief when Bev directed us to a slope out of the wind overlooking the lake, for our lunch break. After a relaxing break we continued round the lake having to negotiate a few boggy streams which meant some of us getting wet feet.  There was a long stretch of boardwalk around the western end of the lake where the main river flowed into the lake. This boggy area had a lot of purei (native sedge) a plant great for stabilising wet land, providing nutrient for the soil and food for birds and insects. Some plants can live as long as 100 years. Our visitor Sharon, a keen bird watcher, was looking out for puteketeke (crested grebes). We eventually spotted a couple on the more sheltered Lake Camp. She also spotted a pair of the endangered black fronted terns, along with skylarks, a few mallards and harriers. The Clearwater settlement seemed very quiet, but we did meet a group of ladies from the Mayfield walking group and a man on a mountain bike with a gun slung over his shoulder heading up the valley from Mystery Lake to shoot thar. Not sure how he would carry one back on his bike.

Text by Selwyn and Jan M

Stds begin ascent of Mt Barrosa

Alts prepare to set off

Alts on the Clearwater trail

Stds enjoy lunch with a view

Alts enjoy a lunch break

Stds arrive at Mt Barrosa Summit

Stds descend Mt Barrosa after lunch

Stds arrival at bus pick-up spot

The walk planned for today was in the Craigieburn Valley – an area forecast to be wet and windy.  We decided to walk instead from Heathcote over the Bridle Path to Lyttelton, west along the Coastal Path to Pony Point Reserve and back to the gondola base station via Stan Helms track.  This is a distance of about 15 km and takes about 5 hours including stops for morning tea and lunch.

The weather was forecast to be warm with a strong northwest wind developing.  Although it was very early spring, summer clothing was in evidence as our group of 32 tackled the steep Bridle Path track to Lyttelton.  This track inevitably brings thoughts of the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of European settlers who walked this path from Lyttelton in the 1850s to make their home in Christchurch.  Many were families with young children and babies, and all would have recently endured a very long and uncomfortable trip from Great Britain in a sailing ship.

Helpful club members gave me many suggestions of topics to include in this report – thank you.  First was the man seen running backwards down the track towards Lyttelton – who knows why?  Second was the large number of cats and dogs we met along the way from Lyttelton to Pony Point, including one cat with collar and lead that was cradled in the arms of its owner as she walked towards us.

Pony Point raised many questions.  Why is it called Pony Point – I don’t know!  What was a lady with a portable sound system doing there – apparently checking the area for a forthcoming wedding.  What’s that Maori carving on a post all about – it’s a new ‘pou whenua’ unveiled in December 2024 to replace the one vandalised in 2021.  When was the track from Cass Bay to Pony Point upgraded with a new alignment, hard surfacing and sturdy timber stairs – probably earlier this year.  Why have 51 trees been planted along a memorial track?

The 51 trees were planted in 2020 in memory of the 51 people killed in the 2019 mosque attacks.  According to news reports, one of the victims was 14 year old Sayyad Milne who lived in Corsair Bay and attended Cashmere High School.  Sayyad’s futsal team members aided by the Muslim community and the Cass Bay Reserve Committee decided to plant the trees close to Sayyad’s home and in a tranquil place overlooking the sea – Pony Point Reserve.

Despite an extensive internet search including Papers Past, I’ve been unable to find the origin of the name Pony Point.  I’ve reached the conclusion that the name might not date from the 1850s but is maybe of more recent origin.  I’ll leave it to others to carry on the search for the answer!

After lunch on the grass in front of the ‘copper house’ in a calm and warm Cass Bay, we returned to Lyttelton and then went up to the Summit Road on the Stan Helms Track.  On the way to the start of the track, we paused at ‘Three Piece Suite Reserve’ for a group photo.  Climbing up to the Summit Road was hard work in the warm and now blustery weather but the rest stops called by leader Peter were welcome and the views of Lyttelton were good.  A steep descent down the Bridle Path with its slippery loose shingle brought us back to our bus at the gondola base station.  Waiting for us there was the group of 12 who’d finished their walk in Lyttelton and bussed through the tunnel.

Text by Warren

Alts depart as Stds briefed

Stds at Summit Rd

Stds muster at Cass Bay

Arrival at Pony Point

Stds lunch outside copper house

Alts at Corsair Bay jetty

Alts enjoy relaxed lunch at Pony Point

Stds at Three-Piece-Suite Reserve

Alts team line-up…

Stds ascend Stan Elms track