Sandfly Bay

This afternoon the Caversham walking group carpooled to Sandfly Bay after meeting at the Woolworths carpark.

It was a warm and overcast day as 16 of us headed to a viewing platform. From here we went down some steps and a steep sand dune onto the beach. It was not a long walk but the views and wildlife were wonderful. We saw a sealion ad its pup, seals, oyster catchers and one penguin.

We walked along the beach and up to the viewing hide. This was where we saw a penguin .

The walk up the sand dune that we came down was a small challenge.

Sandymount

Saturday 24 January

Today was the first summer walk for 2009. 11 members from the walking group met at Woolworths carpark and carpooled to Sandymount on the Otago Peninsula. The walk was a loop taking in the "Chasm" and "Lover's Leap". It was a very hot day so we did the 2.3km walk in just over an hour. We had a number of stops which were awe inspiring.

Old Soldier's Monument with Noel

Yesterday Noel Matthews and I left my school at 1.15pm and walked to the Old Soldier's Monument via Tomahawk. Once at the monument we came back to school via Highcliff Road. We got back at 3.45pm.

It was a lovely warm day with no wind. We took a leisurely stroll as we had a great catch-up. I also took a number of photos as I was annoyed with myself for not taking my camera last time I did this walk.

Silverstream Walk

Yesterday John and I drove to the outskirts of the Waiora Scout Camp and started our walk at 1.10pm. It took 1hr 20mins to reach the start of the Rain Gauge Spur Track. The first part of the walk was mainly uphill through the bush beside the old water race. I felt comfortable on this track but felt the stinging neetle often.

The next stage on the spur started with a very steep climb on hands and feet. After that it was a steady climb for 1hr 10 mins until we hit the gravel road.

The gravel road down to the car took 1hr 15mins which was walked at a steady pace. I estimate the distance for the 3hr 35min walk was about 18km.

Rock and Pillar Summit

Today John Aldis and I left Dunedin at 7.30am to drive to Middlemarch then to the foot of the mountain range. We started on our ascent at 9.50am. The ground was very damp and my feet and trousers got soaked. We reached Big Hut at 11.30am and had a brief stop before travelling to the summit in 25 minutes. We had lunch and came back to the hut.

We started our descent from Big Hut at 12.35am and we reached the car at 2pm. It was a slow descent for me as my knees bedcame very sore.

On or way up we met a lot of low cloud but great conditions for walking.

To School and Back

As I had to do a small task at school I decided to walk there and back. I left at 8.20am taking 2 hours and 5 mins. I spent 25 minutes at school leaving at 10:50am. The walk back took 2 hours and 10 minutes. The walk was 24kms return.

I had no blisters but felt quite tired when I had finished.

Poolburn

On Friday 2nd January, Denise and I walked on the Rail Trail from Lauder to the Poolburn Viaduct and return. We travelled toLauder via Middlemarch and Ranfurly.








The walk was held in very blustery conditions especially once we got close to thye Poolburn Gorge. At some stages the wind was so strong that the small bits of gravel felt like pin pricks as the wind swept the gravel onto our legs. When wew alked between the two tunnels we had to keep our head downs because of the grit getting into our eyes.

The 14km return tip took two and a half hours. We had a drink at the Lauder Hotel to get out of the wind.

Sunday 4 January

Craig and I resumed our Sunday walks. We met at the North Ground at 8.40am and walked up Leith Valley Road, Rockside Road, Tanner Road and around the outside of the Ross Creek Reserve until we came to John McGlashan College. From here it was onto Maori Hill, along Highgate and down Newington Avenue until we came to Queen Street. We resumed alongside St Hildas, Carrington Hall, down Park Street and back to North Ground. The walk took 1 hour 50 minutes which was around 9kms.