This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
In which - Mark is blown from the "parf", Roger meets a heffalump, Kirsty gets a soaking, Claire hears a snort, Daniel soaks “im Bad", and, Clare takes a "barf".
by Kirsy Woods The Friday night of Queen’s Birthday weekend was never-ending. We had crossed the ranges through the Manawatu Gorge and found ourselves somewhere near Napier. Our driver seemed intent on taking us on a midnight run through the wine trails of Hawkes Bay, but no spirits were to be found. Some of us feared that we would become spirits while edging along the narrow road to our final destination, but by 2.30 am we finally arrived, thankful that the truck (known in some circles as "Lowwy") had carried us safely to the road end. The night was windy and we were constantly nudged by our impatient fly, which we chose to ignore. Nevertherless, we could not ignore the sound of the FE’s who were packed and ready to go before we emerged from our beds. Nevermind, we soon managed to follow their example. Within one hour, our chequered FIT party, which consisted of three kiwis (including one indigenous semite), a closet Swiss and a couple of Pommies, stood to attention for a final salute before beginning our journey in search of the famous hotpool (known in some international circles as the "barf" or the "Bad"). It didn’t take long for us to warm up en route to Middle Hill Hut, where we had an early lunch and a few moments of indecision before proceeding up onto the tops. We had every intention of staying at Ballard Hut, but knew it would not be big enough to take the whole party. Once on the tops we were faced with gale force winds, and decided to head across to the other side rather than attempt to reach
the hut,. where we would be sure to have an unpleasant night if forced to camp out.
We clung to the tussock with some alarm as Mark was blown from the track (known in some circles as "parf"), disappearing over the ridge --. hat flying in the wind. Once Mark was safely located, Roger persuaded us that we could make it across the tops if we linked up and pretended that we were crossing a river ... a technique which proved its worth.
Thankfully we reached the bush and dashed down toward the Makino River, only to be beaten by the dark. Alone, Roger was confronted by a wild beast (known in some literary circles as a "heffalump") and was none too happy for this experience. It was comforting to come across the FE’s, who had already prepared a fire and a good camp-site in time for our arrival.
During the night, (and despite Clare’s assurances to the contrary), a cloud came in search of Struan. Upon discovering that he was down South, it shed a few tears of disappointment (for which Kirsty was the unlucky target) and sped southwards. Sunday ... the day of rest ... dawned bright and clear. Talking amongst ourselves, we decided to lie back and appreciate our surroundings. Claire insisted that while others were sleeping she’d heard a snort (which, Daniel advised, is known in some circles as "Schnarre"), but Kirsty couldn’t imagine what it could have been. Perhaps it was a heffalump? At about 11.15 am, it seemed appropriate to get out of bed and proceed down river to the hotpool (which is known in indigenous circles as "Te Puia"). The FE’s had already gone of course, but expectations were not disappointed when we met them at a late lunch spot, fire ready and waiting. After lunch, all that remained was for us to race them to the hot pool, where we would no doubt find a slovenly group of Easies. Needless to say, Sunday evening was spent soaking under the stars, checking our endowments (known in discrete circles as "jJewels"), and thinking to ourselves that there are some moments in life which are simply beyond compare. Soakers: Roger Bolam (who became known in some circles as "possum Shaker"), Daniel Keller, Claire Silcock, Clare Kempster, Mark Loveard and Kirsty Woods(scribe). PS: Thanks to Roger for organizing an excellent trip, and thanks to the FE’s for keeping the home fires burning.