Friday 25^th – Sunday 27^th September 2009

Leaders:-Tom Grice and Dianne Hewitt

Friday 25^th

We all arrived at various times from 1.00pm through to the evening for those few who had to work.  The day started with brilliant weather but slowly clouded over as it progressed.  A few late drop-outs and a game of “musical beds”, and we ended up with 14 people in the Backpackers and Judy and Ron in their mobile bus which they had parked under the pohutukawas fairly close to the water. 

Around mid afternoon those of us already there walked the coast track over the point and down to Maloneys Bay.  Although trying not to, we disturbed a pair of paradise shelducks and their brood of about 8 or so very small young ones.  While dad tried to lure us along the beach, mum, with tribe very close behind, took to sea.  We were absolutely amazed to see how masterfully these young ones adapted to the conditions.  While not big seas they must have seemed so to such very small ducklings!!!  Apparently while returning to shore they were all bowled up the beach but quickly recovered.

Also on the beach was a solitary dotterel with lovely rusty coloured breeding plumage.

I had taken my snorkelling gear so took the plunge – the water was cold!!!  No paua but I did make a fairly close (but not cuddly) acquaintance with a good sized stingray.  They are very graceful creatures.  Dianne stayed and kept an eye on me whilst the others wandered around the pebbly beach to varying degrees.  Tony and Richard were more adventurous climbing up to a large peak overlooking the point and the Pinnacles.  Tony cut inland and got a good photo of the old fencers hut with a nice rainbow – by this time it had started a light drizzle. 

He then cut back over the paddocks and back to the backpackers where the sensible ones of us were already enjoying Happy Hour and studying the very nice rainbow.  After Happy Hour we all made our own dinners and then settled down to our evening activities – talking, looking at photos, or playing a quiet game of cards!!!

Saturday 26^th

Today we were to do the coastal walkway from Fletcher Bay to Stony Bay and back.  We had intended to go up a track to the top of the farm, over the top and down through the bush to Stony Bay but the day dawned a bit dismal and so we decided that it would be a bit miserable up in the mist and no view so we might as well do it in reverse – the coastal track first.  After a leisurely breakfast 14 of us took off from the backpackers, picked up Ron and Judy, and headed off over the farm on a gentle climb up.  The weather was variable – overcast with occasional light showers.  We took our time and admired the views.  On the descent through bush down to Poley Bay we came across some really good specimens of the greenhood orchid – PTEROSTYLIS 

Once we had regained our height the track wound it’s way through the bush on a gentle contour and around all the valleys.  The track has been improved a lot and most of it can be walked two-abreast.  Lots more orchids, and heard and saw lots of tuis, native pigeons, a few grey warblers and heard, and had a brief glimpse, of a kaka.  We also heard a shining cuckoo at lunchtime.  There appears to be quite heavy baiting for pests through this area which is great to see.

Saw our first of the season sight of an EARINA MUCRONATA out in flower and dripping with raindrops.

Lunch was enjoyed sitting under large pohutukawa trees beside the gravel beach of Stony Bay and the other end of the road to Coromandel.  The weather was cooler and the showers had not disappeared and as the tops were well under cloud we decided to return the way we had come.  We just spread out and walked at our own paces.  The sun briefly came out – and with it a lovely rainbow – but a decent shower fell just as the stragglers were coming in.  It was a seven hour walk but well worth the effort.

Doug and Terry shot off back to Port Jackson to try their hands at fishing – just as well we didn’t rely on their expertise for dinner!!  (But the chocolate fish disappeared quickly!)  Happy Hour came and went and the pot luck dinner was it’s usual success.  The boys were bludgeoned and browbeaten into doing the dishes.  Cards and/or chatting filled the evening which finished off with some delicious mulled wine that Dianne made.

Sunday 27^th

Sunday morning probably had the best weather but we all enjoyed breakfast, cleaned up our accommodation and set off on our separate journeys home with a loose arrangement to meet at Driving Creek Railway at Coromandel township at around 11.00am.  A lot of work has been put in to construct this narrow gauge railway which winds uphill through regenerating bush through a series of switches, bridges and tunnels, culminating at an impressive structure at the top called Eyefull Tower which gives a good view out over the town and outlying islands all the way across to Auckland.  It has been (and still is) a labour of love by the potter Barry Brickell, starting off as a means of getting clay for his pots and wood for his kilns.  It has just kept on growing.  It really is worth a trip on this great little railway.

Some of the others were just getting off the train as we were boarding.  They were heading straight home whilst we were spending the night in Coromandel, heading home on the Monday after a leisurely few days.

Thanks all for another great weekend 

Tom G