This Saturday the Harriers head out to Chatto Creek , to wander the water races. We will car pool out at 12:30pm from corner Walton & Thompson streets with A-Ls duty pack.
For those wanting something a little different, there is the chance to walk the water race tunnel. It will be limited to 20 persons , Meet at 11am to car pool out. See bottom of email for more details.
Saturday dawned with another frost and cloud , making us wonder if we would get anywhere near the high temperature predicted for the day.
The local weather god delivered ,a double digit high after a week of crisp frosts.
19 keen W1 walkers left Alex just after midday , to walk out to Clyde along the business men’s track along the riverside. There was also 1 runner who was well ahead of the walkers
Another 19 or so W2 & W3 walkers drove out to Miners Lane in Clyde , to walk from there. The W2 walkers headed down the river track towards Muttontown, where they ran into the W1s, They then turned back ,splitting into 3 groups , as one group returned along the river track , the other 2 groups heading on up to the top of the bank and returning through Clyde. They took the opportunity to remind Dave to duck under the bridge this year, as well as try to lift low hanging branches up. Barrie said it wasn’t a problem for him.
The W3 walkers wandered from cafe to cafe , walking around the streets of Clyde.
This Saturday we will car pool out at 12:30pm to the car park beside the rail trail at Chatto Creek, before crossing the road and up and along the water race.
For those interested in the water race tunnel, car pool, meet at 11am
Susan has asked that there should be no more than 20 ,so those wanting to do this walk are asked to book their place by emailing or texting Jojo. (021 328 708). jojoes@xtra.co.nz
The tunnel is wet, at least ankle deep in places. Either wear gum boots or accept that you will have wet feet for the rest of the day.
A headlight will be very useful, but please avoid shining it in other folk’s eyes.
Meet with Susan at the tunnel entrance at 12, if she is not joining us for the walk to there.
Land owner Peter Schaap will probably be joining us.
The walk is a total of 13km with 350m climb including the 1.7km tunnel.
That will be slow which is why we are allowing 4 hours.
North of the water race aqueduct, after we have emerged from the tunnel, we must stay on the formed track as it passes through sections that have been subdivided.
So if you are not comfortable walking in the dark for some time , stick to the W2 & W3 walk along the water race. This can be muddy at times depending on rain or of frost has thawed , so boots could be a good idea. If any W1s don’t make it out of the tunnel, the hungry eels will be released, to clear any blockages in the tunnel system.
Hope to see you all there. Sunshine has been booked in.
Gary