posted 30 Nov 2014, 13:41 by Wakatipu Walker
Project Gold Club
Planting Area Sunday 2nd November
10 of us spent an hour or so down at the Kowhai planting
area off Morven Ferry Road. We planted more kowhais and associated shrubs, put
new plastic rabbit-proof guards on the plants and weeded the existing plants
before the rain set in. We dried out with a cuppa at Pip’s afterwards.
Hokonui
Hills 8th November
The Hokonui Hills are situated just west of
Gore, and form an attractive bush-covered backdrop to the town. After driving
down from Queenstown, we arrived at the Croydon Bush carpark a bit after 10am.
In perfect sunny weather we set off up Richardsons track, climbing towards East
Peak. The bellbirds were in full song as we climbed through the forest of
ratas, miros, totaras, etc – all rather surprising a few kilometres from Gore.
We emerged onto the open tops after a short climb and walked along to the Trig
where there was a fantastic 360 degree view of Southland.
After an early lunch, we dropped down the
middle ridge track past more impressive ratas to the carpark. After a quick
second lunch, we drove around to the Whisky Creek carpark. From here, we walked
another loop track around Hidden Valley via an old water race, which have links
to the Hokonui whisky legend. At the top of the track we came out on an old
farm clearing that is being reclaimed by the bush – matai trees being the most
prominent. Then it was back down Whisky Creek to the carpark via the water race
again.
On the way to a coffee at the Mandeville
“Moth Cafe”, we visited Dolamore Park – a beautiful recreation and garden
reserve set within native bush – worth visiting next time you are passing
through Gore on a fine day.
Thank you Helen for showing us your local
high-lights.
Party: Helen, Roger and Lorraine, Peter
DLM(scribe and photos) 
Bike
Trip - Around the Mountain Trail –
Kingston to Athol 16th November
On 16 November we all met in Frankton, sorted
the transport and drove to Kingston to cycle part of the new Around the
Mountain Trail which had been officially opened the weekend before. The day was fine and sunny and we were all
hoping that this would continue. It was
just great to cycle through a part of the country that most of us had not seen
before. The trail from Kingston more or
less follows the train tracks and it really is a very good track. Jim was with us as our support vehicle and we
all met up with him at Fairlight after pushing through a head wind for a lot of
the way. Then it was on to Garston to
test out the pies at the Garston Hotel and sit in the sun for a half hour
break. On departure Peter found that he
had a flat tyre on his bike, he had left his pump back in Kingston and no-one
who was left in Garston had a pump to fit his valve, so he had to resort to a
ride down the road to meet up with the rest of the bikers and get his tyre
pumped up ready for the return journey.
Lunch was had at Athol together with icecreams and coffees and then we
set out back to Kingston. The new
bridges just before Athol are an amazing piece of construction. We then cycled back to Kingston with short
breaks at Garston, (where Peter once more had a flat tyre and had to hitch a
ride to catch Peter and Kim at Fairlight with their bike pump). Then it was riding back to Kingston for a
drink at the café and home. All in all,
we did 60 kms in 4 hours and 52 minutes riding (this was the slowest rider so
others were much quicker). A really
great track and I look forward to doing some more of it. Those participating were Judy, Pete and Kim,
Peter and Margaret, Peter, Graham, Paul, Colleen and Kay
McIntosh Hut area 23rd November
We had change of plans when we reached the Buckler Burn Creek..after recent
rain we decided the creek was too swollen, too dirty and too swift to attempt
to cross so we retreated back up to main track..and then carried on up to
Heather Jock Hut for lunch. We sheltered behind the hut to eat our lunch as 9
Otago Phys Ed students were crammed into the 3 bunk hut!!! After a quick break
we went down to Bonnie Jean and Boozer Hut..before heading back to carpark. Was
a great 6hr walk for Kim & Pete Nicolson, and Pip Craigie
Annual Pigeon Island
work project 20-24 November
7 club members joined 6 visitors to cut and pull weeds,
clear tracks and do general maintenance work on Pigeon Island, including a half
day on Pig Island. A productive and enjoyable time was had by all.
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