Quarryburn Station – Rissington, Wednesday September 30 2009
Trampers: Alison Greer, Ron Morison, Peter Slagter, Vic Bullock, John Marshall, Kelvin Shaw, Sue Martin, Thelma Tasman-Smith, Graham Bell, Ted Angove, Robyn Smith, Les O’Shea and Gary Bowler
A relatively short distance to the beginning of this Wednesday tramp enabled a welcome later start, particularly as the change to daylight saving had taken place just four days earlier!
Tall trees lined the driveway into the very attractive house and farm of Patrick and Lesley O’Rourke off the Puketitiri Road at Rissington. Patrick produced a map of the farm and outlined a 9km walk for us across rolling hill country, interrupted by steep gullies – just to ensure we kept up our fitness. The walk across well-maintained farm tracks and paddocks provided a leisurely alternative to some of the more rigorous tramps of the past.
At this time of the year, the lush green pastures were full of stock. Sheep, lambs, cattle, calves and deer were all in abundance. The higher points on the farm provided excellent views in all directions. A suspension bridge constructed in 1974 high across one of the gulches was said to be capable of carrying a 15-ton load, but did not feel so as it swayed to and fro while crossing. Another feature of the “walk” was the ability of one of our number to drive around the station and pick up another of the party who had gone astray!
An early lunch stop and a return to our transport by 1.30pm meant we were all home before the rain set in, to learn that we had missed the drama of a tsunami warning during the morning.
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