This Week's Walks: Once, every three or four years, we head to Tunnel Gully for the three walks and instead of a coffee we would love you all to stay for a picnic. The surroundings are very pleasant. (There is no compulsion or pressure to take part.) The three walks are the same three walks that were on the program in 2020. There are toilets in the park. Google Maps suggests that if you take Transmission Gully, Haywards (SH58) and SH2 then the trip from Churton Park will take about 42 minutes. The walks will start at 9:20am.
We are aware that some SS walkers found part of last Wednesday’s walk a little challenging. We have noted this and will make an effort to avoid incorporating such areas in the future, but at the same time not making the walks too easy.)
The Walks:
PPs: The 3.58km loop walk that starts at Tunnel Gully carpark, then to and around Tane’s Track; a side walk to the entrance of the tunnel and then back to the start point. Mostly flat. As an extra, PPs can add in a walk through the tunnel and back if they wish. A torch (or light on a phone) is handy for the tunnel, but not essential. You can see the walk here.
SSs: A 7.20km walk. It is a very straightforward walk, including a walk through the tunnel. Some members may wish to take a torch to light their way through the tunnel - the tunnel floor is very smooth, so it is not difficult even without torches. You can see the walk here.
FFs: An 8.40km loop walk. During the walk, when you get to the toilets, leave the road and take Tane’s Track (see sign just to the left of the toilets. This is the circular bypass which will take you back to the main track. The track also includes a walk through the tunnel. You can see the walk on Mapometer here and on Plotaroute here.
Directions & Parking: Heading north on SH2 you will come to the Te Marua Dairy where you need to turn right onto Plateau Road. Keep on Plateau Road, noting that you need to veer left at the fork to stay on this road. We trust that any walkers who have been on one of our Tunnel Gully walks previously will have a good idea where to park and others can gather around them. A couple of different parking areas will be needed.
Coffee: Hopefully after your walk you will take part in a picnic in the pleasant surroundings. Bring a rug or a chair, something warm to wear and a thermos and perhaps a snack or two. (No compulsion to stay for the picnic.)
Russell Paterson
Reminder
Please ensure that you inform your group’s leader if you leave a walk partway through.
Website
When you open the website to view your walk have a quick look at the “Home Page”. This usually has a new picture each week generally showing a view from one of our walks. Also, for the Friday walkers - Keith Thomas has updated the statistics, so take a look here at what you have achieved!
Cancellation
If the walks are cancelled an email will be sent out as early as possible but definitely before 8:00am.
Walk Schedules
You can look at the walk schedule for February 2025 here.
Photos
Walkers please try and take a photo of each group on walking days and email them to this link.
Preferably small size (around 450kb).
CPCW Photos
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Wednesday saw the CPCW group split into more divisions than usual. Brian Alderson had organised a trip which saw a full launch-load of 35 walkers head across to Mana Island on a perfect day. After a brief history of the island provided, with humour, by guide Dave, we were left to explore the island in our own way. What appears from the mainland as a flat-topped island is much more interesting with ridges and gullies, regenerating bush, one gully of lush bush with what appear to be original standing trees - and an abundance of birdlife and birdsong including the concrete gannets. Apparently they have been in place for many years, but one must wonder whether they are playing the right bird calls as there have been no new residents!!
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These photos are courtesy of our organiser, Brian Alderson:
 
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Thanks to Pauline Moore for her photos including one showing Brian enjoying a moment of well-deserved rest:
 
 
 
 
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Clint Davis captured these great photos of takahe and weta. Unlike the gannets, these takahe are very much alive. Sadly, Clint was pretty certain that there was little life remaining in the weta. Take a look at the Home page for further photos of a takahe encounter.
 
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And the following photos were provided by Bill Gaudie:
 
 
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For those who did not head to Mana Island, the walks were around Johnsonville. These two photos of the SSs and FFs were provided by Paul Alpe and Hue Ng:
 
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A team of walkers headed out on Thursday from Churton Park to Johnsonville & return. Gillian Mills & Hue Ng have, once again, kindly provided this week's photos:
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The Friday walk this week was led by Keith Thomas who took the walkers out on a loop circumnavigating the Pauatahanui Inlet. Photos this week have been provided by Wendy Bentley, Keith Thomas and Bill Gaudie:
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