Leader: Robyn Walsh

With the weather forecast predicting buckets of rain for Saturday, I rescheduled the walk to Sunday, a good move. Also, this meant a fourth participant was able to come.

Jo kindly drove us to Pelorus Bridge by 9.30am. The locals were celebrating the 100-year milestone of the Bridge, built in 1912. Two Forest & Bird officers were talking about the successful Bat Recovery Program.

We began our day crossing the impressive Rai swingbridge. We were in the bush only 15 minutes when we arrived at the boundary fence between forest and farm. Now came the long walk through paddock after paddock, following a marked route that is part of the Te Araroa Trail.

We took a high-water route, as swampy fields were waterlogged. A large power pylon was a perfect place for morning tea.

Along a boundary fence above the Pelorus River, there were several stiles to cross. By 12:15, with no Daltons Bridge in sight, we lunched under poplar trees. Jim leant backwards a bit too far, and got zapped on an electric fence.

Feeling replenished, we decided to return to Pelorus Bridge, which we did by 3:15pm. We made a dash for the cafe here. Those on this pleasant outing were: Jim Maxwell, Ted Brooks, Jo Kay and Robyn Walsh (scribe).