We have had the luxury of 2 bank holiday weekends in a row, this last one is for Waitangi Day to commemorate the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the Maori chiefs and the Pakeha(expat) representatives of the Crown.
So we headed off again for a long tramping weekend with our lovely friends Janet and roger from Te Puke. We met them in Christchurch on Friday morning and drove down to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, where we stayed in the first hostel which was a short drive by minibus out of the town up towards the crater rim. The organisers of the track only allow 12 walkers per day on the 4 day trek, there are some who do the trail on 2 days but they had separate accommodation to the rest of us.
Each of the places to stay around the track has its own quirky appeal - the first night had star watching huts, the second one specialised in penguin conservation and seeing dolphins from kayaks, the third looked like something from Alice in Wonderland! A definite must if you have the time for this walk!
bankstrack.
The weather was a bit overcast and cool when we arrived, the accommodation was a lovely wooden cabin, but we decided not to try out the stargazing huts (which we should have done as it was a starry night!) The next day was bright and sunny until we when up into the cloud as we reached the crater rim!
It was a long slog up the slope to the trig point - but we got there. We also became tour guides for Tammie a young Swiss chap who thought the walk was guided! - He walked the whole trek with us.
The second night was in an old shearers cottage in Flea Bay, the 2 day walkers did not stop here, so it was just the 12, 4 day walkers, who we started to get to know. Apart from Tammie, we had an American couple Beth and Col, plus a very jolly group of young Auckland mums on a week away leaving their kids with the dads!
We tended to arrive first so Roger lit a warming welcoming fire in each of the places we stayed, which was appreciated by everyone.
The owners of this farm were very keen on penguin conservation and had build a whole city of penguin holes all over their farm! They also rescued the abandoned ones, which they took to the creek each day for a swim, all the visitors had to wear camouflage tops as the penguins don't like lots of bright colours. One poor wee thing was blind and only swam in circles, it will be sent to a sea life centre as it can't be released into the wild.
Our second day was also overcast but a lovely walking temperature. We walked along stunning cliff tops and found the quirkiest shelter huts and long drops I have ever seen - this was an indication of what the accommodation would be like!
Happy trampers - Roger is holding a bottle of salad dressing not a sample!
A throne with arm rests!
Another 'throne' this one even had trellis work around the door and window - how posh!
Coming down into Stoney Bay for our third night.
The accommodation for our third night was just like walking into an Alice in wonderland story. Someone here has created huts not just built them!
The gardens in all three lodges were full of fruit and birds - the above is a Kereru a native woodpigeon.
Again as soon as we got there Roger lit a lovely fire in the range and the fireplace - no electrics or gas here!.
This is the shop!
An out door pool table with characterful 'stick' cues!
And this is the speciality for this place - a couple of outdoor baths, (privacy provided by lovely plants and trees) - you fill with water and light the fire underneath. The plank of wood is needed for sitting on in the bath to stop you burning tender places!. Unfortunately the American couple thought it was for putting their gin and tonic on - so they spent quite a bit of time trying to 'hover' and avoid sitting on the bottom of the bath where the fire was! Such a laugh!
This was the shower and wash room - nice space for the header tank! And inside one wall is the tree - an interesting method of 'locking' the door - see notice to right of door there was a 'yes' or 'no' hanger to show if it was occupied
The sea was too cold for even Malcolm to have a swim, but the stars were magnificent - see belwo with the silhouettes of the cabbage trees.
Malcolm and Tammie found a novel toaster! and made a lovely breakfast.
This is the way into the outdoor 'bathroom' ! what a beautiful and magical place!
Such a brilliant place.
The 3rd and shortest days walk was again along dramatic coastal scenery to yet another lovely cottage set in a beautiful garden.
The second and third days we carried all our stuff - so here is to prove we did all have backpacks!, but on the first and last days Janet and I sent our packs portage with the rest of the group!
Gorgeous house, and we had all got on so well that on the last evening we shared a bbq meal together - what a lovely bunch of folk.
A final photo op before we all set of on the last days trek.
The sun came out on our last day which was spectacular - again walking back up form seal level to the top of the crater rim and over to Akaroa.
Again we reached the highest point - I thought Tammie was going to knock us all off!
Beautiful bush walking on the way up
Above it the pass through the crater rim towards Akaroa
Perhaps the druids planned an isteddfordd here??
Through the gap and downwards - can you see the cruise ship in the sound?
Janet took 3 instead of 1 - she is not used to mobile phones, a bit of fun!
A superb time with great friends - thanks Janet for organising it and we can't wait for next years trek!
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