Okahuiti catchment, 22 June 2008 3pm

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This week, mid-winter, we will explore a catchment — the gathering of water that ultimately becomes a body such as a wetland or a stream. In particular, we will circumnavigate an upper arm of the Okahuiti catchment and later loop around the wetland itself. One highlight will be a visit to Ces Thomas’ wetland in Crescent Road where a weedy wilderness has been transformed by patience and with love into a place of beauty and inspiration. If you are lucky you will see kokopu, (native fish) or tuna, the small eel that resides in the stream, and be greeted in the bush below the house by a friendly fantail.

Meet at the bus-stop on the corner of Te Toki Road and Crescent Rd East at 3pm.

Note that while every care is taken, these walks are at your own risk. All welcome.

POSTSCRIPT
If you feel like flexing your muscles, there is going to be a working bee in the Te Toki field from 10 to 12 on the same day. Bring secateurs, loppers, spades etc. The plan is to give the weeds between the new path and Wilma Rd a bit of a fright.

Blackpool ramble, Sunday 15 June 3pm

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This is an exploration of Blackpool Beach and some of its possibly lesser known walkways and connections. We'll start at the end of Tui Street, cross the stream and head East along the beach. At the end of the esplanade we climb the new track up to Makora Avenue, walk all along its lovely bush clad contour, and take some shortcuts back to the Blackpool Flats. Then we will continue on to Te Huruhi reserve which has its own public loop track around the Pony club area. This walk should be quite easy, it will take about 1.5 hr.

Te Whau Coastal walk, Sunday 8 June, 3pm

This Sunday we are going to do a beautiful coastal walk to the tip of Te Whau peninsula. This walk will take a bit of time and there is quite a distance to cover, but it is arguably one of the best walks on the island.
We'll meet at the same place we gathered for our Rocky Bay walk: at the beginning of Te Whau Drive. See the map below. After descending down to the bay, we will head west to follow the coastline all the way to Te Whau Point. This walk meanders around headlands and empty bays, and joins the road via a steep track up the hill. Allow up to 3 hours for this walk.


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