An 8.00 am start from Papatoetoe saw Colin and Carl leave under overcast skies but not raining. At the start of the track we met Steve and 5 year old daughter Asha. Crossing the first bridge, with the tide fully in, we saw a canoeist paddling towards us. He passed right underneath us giving us a cheery wave. The track is in good condition although a little muddy. There are some beautiful Kauri trees to be seen and also some signs explaining the types of vegetation most of which were read to our budding 5 year old tramper. We were passed by numerous runners and there were quite a few people walking either way. The track drops to the edge of the Okura River and then reenters the bush climbing up to a headland , then dropping down into Korepiro Bay. At the end of this bay is Dacre Cottage built by Ranulf Dacre in the 1850s. It is a one room brick house cared for by the NZ Historic Places Trust. We had stopped here under shelter for lunch when a minor gale descended upon us. With the wind blowing and raining heavily a group of 17 from the Women's Outdoor Pursuits arrived wind blown and wet. Colin and I had intended to go right through to Stillwater but because of weather conditions decided to turn back with Steve and Asha. A nice walk made all the better by having Asha do her first walk with the club. Carl (scribe)
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