Trampers? More like the Bay City Strollers!

Bluff Hill, Saturday 20 May 2023
Banner Photo: A map of our walk, highlighted by Juliet

Due to bad weather forecast for much of the lower North Island, it was decided to put the planned A-Frame/Stanfield Hut tramp on hold (to be slotted in at a later date) and instead do a Bluff Hill walk.

We met at Ossian Street car park at 8.30am and Juliet handed out maps of Napier Hill Steps that she had highlighted with the route we would take, including an alternative route for those who wished to have a longer walk.

Off we set, along Battery Road, then up Chaucer Steps, into Denholm which then connected with 65th Street Steps, past the soon-to-be-demolished nurses’ home, along Napier Terrace and into Harvey Road. We deviated slightly from the mapped route – there are just so many different options, people were darting off on tangents, chit chatting away, but Juliet did a marvellous job of keeping track of everyone and gathering us together.

We went up Brewster Street Steps, Gladstone, Cootes, Priestley, Lighthouse, into Sturms Gully then up to Bluff Hill lookout. A little time was spent looking out over the port and then we were off again. Everyone elected to do the longer walk – a good way to build up an appetite, as we knew the café was the end goal.

It was interesting to see there were still downed trees not yet cleared as evidence of the recent cyclone. And great views looking out over the Bay, plus a really diverse range of architecture from historic wee cottages, to grand villas, to new builds – and everything in between.

We reached FG Smiths Eatery at 10.50 where we all enjoyed coffee, snacks and more chatter. It had been a very pleasant outing – great to stretch one’s legs, fine weather with not even a spit despite a few grey clouds and, of course, excellent company.

Walkers: Di Reid, John Dobbs, Su Nugent, Sue Gribble, Elly Govers, Kay Lewis, Andreah Hannah, Fiona Bryant, Juliet Gillick, Margaret Palmer, Nelia Schultze, Gaye Ebbett and reporter Shona Tupe