Camp in the Catlins

A few weeks ago I led our 60+ Rambling Group on a long weekend camp to the Catlins, south of Dunedin. It was planned a few months ago and I was disappointed that it coincided with the visit to Dunedin by Prince William and Princess Katherine. I had an invitation to the service in the Cathedral.
However the camp went well. There were some showers on the Saturday morning but we adjusted our itinerary to suit.

Friday we went to Kaka Point and Nobby's Lighthouse before lunch.

In the afternoon we went to Purakaunui Bay

Then to Purakaunui Falls

Finally to our lodgings in Pounawea.

Saturday we went to the museum in Owaka, then the local cafe for Coffee followed by an Antique shop and Teapot land, returning to Pounawea for lunch.

The afternoon was fine but cool and windy so we walked the Coach track to Papatowai Beach

then to the Matai Falls.

We had dinner at the Lumber Jack Restaurant in Owaka

Sunday was fine but still a cold wind, we drove south to Florence Hill Lookout

then walked to Lake Wilkie and some nearby wetlands.

After Morning Tea we walked to the McLean Falls.

then to the comically named Niagara Falls

Onto the museum at Waikawa and  then Curio Bay.

 and a walk in the nearby woodland

After coffee at the Niagara Tea Rooms we walked over the dunes to Tautuku Bay.

On Monday group photos were taken near our lodgings.

Yes I was the only male.

Then we drove to Jack's Bay and walked to Jack's Blowhole. It was low  tide so not a good viewing of the blowhole but nice scenery.

Our final walk was to Barr's Falls

before visiting the Catlins Soap Factory where we ate our lunches in the grounds

before driving back to Dunedin.

Beautiful Karitane

Two weeks ago our Rambling group held our Christmas lunch and walk in Karitane 40 kilometres north of Dunedin. Here are some photos I took.

Thank God British Backpacker safe

I am amazed and thankful.
A 19 year old British backpacker went walking in the Mountains not far from my home 12 days ago. He only had a light jacket and did not take his mobile phone (not always much use in this type of country). While some people do go hiking alone, I think it is very foolish as you never know if you might slip and be injured. He was in Australia alone and reported missing when he did not show for a tour he had booked a few days later.
His father flew out from England but this country is so thickly timbered with steep cliffs.

"I was told there were 50 guys with yellow jackets out there looking for him - I saw one of them,'' Mr Cass said.

"So I can understand how difficult it is to see a stupid kid in a dark blue jacket walking under the trees.

"It's so dense.''

I know it well and might be able to orientate myself by recognising landmarks but for a stranger it would be so easy to get lost.
This afternoon his father was at the airport about to fly home, having conducted a little private ceremony and given up all hope, when he received a message that his son had been found by walkers and was just dehydrated having lived on seeds and leaves. It is mid-Winter and temperatures would be about zero or below. As I said amazing.

Last weekend some recent British migrants, two families with young children, went for a walk in the bush at 4.30pm (sunset 5pm at the moment). They were found the next morning after a very cold night. The Australian bush is no walk in the park.

The photo below, which I took 18 months ago, shows the area in which he was lost. The small hill in the centre is know as the Ruined Castle and is where he was last seen by some other walkers 12 days ago. He was headed for Mount Solitary on the left. In front is Narrow Neck and news reports say he was found below it on this side.
Newspaper article

Walking with Entertainment

My Monday U3A walking group went to a town south of Sydney called Stanwell Park. I knew this beach well when I was teaching geography and used it as a field exercise. This time we climbed to the top of the cliffs behind known as Mount Mitchell (about 250 metres a.s.l.) from where we could look down on the village and beach.

While eating our lunch at the top we were entertained by the hang gliders.

Walking in the Mountains

Nearly every Monday I go walking with a seniors bushwalking group. Last Monday we walked to the South Lawson Falls which are within 5 km of my home. I thought I would share some of my photos. On the left is the Adelina Falls. On the right the Cataract Falls.
Below and closest to my home are the Terrace Falls. We visited 5 Falls in all. They are not world shattering but very pleasant especially on a hot day.

At this time of the year, Spring downunder, the wildflowers are quite spectacular.
On the left are Daviesia corymbosa, in the centre(below) Grevillea phylicoides and on the right Patersonia longifolia.









An enjoyable but tiring day.
If any local expert visits my blog and finds I am wrong with my plant names, please contact me, it is not an area of expertise for me.