This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
LAK ER DIVE 16-11 September JULIA FETTES
There we were at the Railway Station, numerous AIC bods and we & far more sensible mere trampers. Our gear squashed in, we piled onto the bus and were away by 6:15pm - a far cry from the one or two hour delays common in another tramping club I could mention. Very efficient I thought, though Peter Jackson mumbled something about the late departure, After a heroic struggle up the Ngauranga Gorge the bus hit its stride and got us to Bulls without further incident. “Bulls for dinner again!" was the groan heard from various quarters as we boosted the Buljs' takeaway business, probably by about 300%. On we drove, nothing momentous happening. We drove along the Hawera rail platform, got a bit ‘misplaced’ somewhere else, but our noble driver Murray got the bus and us to Dawson Falls about 12:30am.
With the AlC'ers facing a 1% hour walk in the dark and drizzle before sleep, we 8 strolled leisurely down to Konini Lodge, all of 2 minutes away. It was full of army peoples who looked like they'd moved in for good - there was gear, especially khaki coloured clothing, hanging everywhere, not to mention the odd keg af beer lying around. We soon retired to our beds but they carried on partying till some ungodly hour.
I woke to the sound of Peter's cheery voice enthusiastically encouraging us to get up and look at the mountain in the early morning light. I'm glad I did, it's the only time the whole thing was visible that weekend, and I must admit it was very pretty.
Qur country's illustrious protectors were looking decidedly the worse far wear, many of them apparently having collapsed mid-scull sometime earlier on.
After brekkie we packed up and trooped up to the bus, rudely awakening Murray so we could leave our extra gear inside. And then we were off, deciding very soon to take the lower track to Lake Dive as the weather didn't look exactly tropical higher up. The sky drizzled but the walk was easy and ample snow along the way provided plenty of ammunition for snowball fights. Unfortunately I always seemed to be in the middle of them - some lethal blows were dealt and I have yet to deal them back.....
We arrived at the hut at a supremely adequate time - lunch time. Before eating however, it seemed appropriate ta remove Old Possum's calling cards ‘several of them!) which had been left prominently on the table, in the bunkroom, on the floor... (Moral of the story ~ don't leave hut windows cpen when you leave!)
With the weather deteriorating four intrepid souls went exploring round the lake whilst the more sensible of us, the true womblish trampers, sat in the hut eating, talking, dozing, and trying to keep the fire going. We'd had heaps of trouble starting it as the wood was soaking wet. Even in matchstick pieces it wouldn't burn, and even when we'd got the fire pretty well established it was extremeiy temperamental,
Dinner was interesting (a useful word!) - yummy, but rather runny sweet and sour pork. Different anyway! After dinner entertainment was a bit lacking and after some casual conversation we went to bed, me in front of the fire. (Only because of the leak above my bunk, nothing to do with the extra comfort and warmth of course?,
A rude awakening (perhaps in response from the one the previous day? from Murray crashing the hut door shut at some early hour, was forgiven on his provision of cups of Milo, Breakfast and packing ‘and a nameless person's morning Shave(t!!)) were undertaken in a leisurely fashion, the weather being very uninviting. We eventually set off, the track now very squelchy with almost all of the snow melted. Although we were rather damp on arrival at the bus the walk back was very pleasant. A hot shower and scones with cream and jam whiled away the time until the AlC*ers arrived back and we packed up and headed home. (Via Bulls for dinner again of course! } Thanks Peter for an enjoyable introduction to the Club, and a good weekend. Those on the trip: Julia Fettes (author), Graeme Powell, Bruce McNair, Birte Mauss, Peter Jackson, Markus Wassman, Doug Bray, Gary Wood and Murray Taylor.