This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
by Brian Johnston THURSDAY: A motley bunch gathered at the Ferry Terminal on a glorious Autumn evening, a cloudiess sky showing the full moon. The scene was set for a good weekend but would the weather manage to hold until Monday??!!_ After an uneventful crossing it was all aboard the "Duchess" for the long drive to Marahau. With 13 people on the Medium trip plus the Fit trip.| felt-like the proverbial sardine after awhile. We arrived at Marahau around 2.00 am to a perfectly clear, starry night and we dossed down wherever we fell. However, Sue and I learnt that sleeping outside has its pitfalls upon being woken by a big dog sniffing around our faces. Unfortunately it took our “shooing away” noises as an invitation to play. When nobody else claimed to hear the dog bark during the night we began to doubt our sanity. FRIDAY:
Took a boat from Marahau to Te Pukatea Bay in full sunshine, making a detour to see Split Apple Rock - pretty impressive. We walked over to Anchorage Bay and onto Torrent Bay Hut taking in Cleopatra's Pool enroute. At the hut we discovered the first of our “tidal” routes. With boots in hand we set off on the most direct route across the bay. After a small degree of dithering Brian forged the route with the water being upper thigh deep. I felt sorry for the shortlannan nannia an the trin
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After lunch it was a straight-forward tramp to Bark Bay for the night and to discover the contents of the block that Brian was Carrying in his hand. Brian's scheme was to have ice cream and fruit for our dessert. Ice cream carried on a tramp? However the ice cream turned out to be slightly soft. How did he do it? He froze the tub of ice cream in water to create a block of ice around it. The theory was that the ice would mett from the outside in but keep the ice cream frozen at the same time. However the theory didn't quite match reality but full marks for effort!!! Upon meeting possums for the first time we discovered that they're not the loveable creatures that Dame Edna Everidge led us to believe. Brian also discovered that they're not very loveable when he grabbed one by the scruff of the neck!!
SATURDAY:
Around Bark Bay and onto Tonga Quarry. With time to kill waiting for low tide at Awaroa Inlet, we scrambled along the coast to see Arch Point while others swam. The weather was still holding. We carried on along the beach with boots in hand for the short but deeper crossing at the Richardson Stream Inlet, Brian leading the way again. With rumours that the cafe at Awaroa was now open the crossing of Tonga Saddle was effortless. We found the cafe very hospitable and well-needed. Afterall, we had been away from civilisation for all of a couple of days! Eventually with packs on our backs we set off for the Awaroa Inlet crossing. This time Brian showed some of us the way not to go, trying an over-ambitious route!!! However once your boots are in hand it seems pointless putting them back on until you're safely across to the other side. ‘This meant a long plod across many sharp oyster beds. Along the coast to Goat Bay for the night. Despite my protests the others lit a fire on the beach. A pleasant night was spent by all watching the moon rise above the sea. ‘SUNDAY: Along the path'to Totaranui with a light drizzle falling and onto Anapai Bay. We wandered on along the beach again in sunshine to Mutton Cove followed by Whariwharangi Bay for lunch and swims etc. Although the campsite for the night was just around the coast at Taupo Point, it became obvious that it would only be accessible from Wainui Bay. Again, despite my protests, the others lit a fire. Brian excelled again with the dessert producing a very dubious-looking and tasting custard. The light-hearted members of the group declined the custard.
MONDAY: A short walk along the coast to Wainui. Bay carpark to meet the Duchess. - - Plenty of time for swimming by the keen ones. Still in sunshine - the weather held. Back to Picton and home to Wellington!