Mangarakau Swamp - Organiser: Uta Purcell
Not up a mountain or along ridges - no, into a swamp! Not in a hut or in tents - but in a modern house with electricity, an indoor toilet and a bath! That was the Club's easy destination this Queen's Birthday weekend. It attracted 15 fit people, including two girls. As we were able to drive up to the house, the trip could go ahead despite unsettled, wet weather with strong winds for the first two days.
Mangarakau is on the West Coast past Westhaven Inlet. We could hear the roar of the sea from there. Mangarakau's past is a history of coal and gold mining, flax milling, timber milling, and farming with futile attempts to drain the swamp. This important wetland is now protected and The Friends of Mangarakau Swamp Inc. are working for its preservation and its restoration to its original state.
Dodging rain, our group made itself familiar with this freshwater wetland during the first afternoon. Day 2 had individuals or groups of four or six do their own thing: relaxing at the house, being very creative with flax weaving, walking down the road in either direction and enjoying views through superb bush across Westhaven Inlet to Knuckle Hill, or views all around from the ramparts which separate the swamp from the West Coast beach.
When we set off for the coast north of Paturau River in the afternoon, the outgoing tide was still high, the southerly wind fierce and the rain spoiled the start. 9 returned to the comfort of the house, 6 saw it through and thoroughly enjoyed the wild beach and seas, helped by improving weather.
Day 3, on our way home, we all walked up to Knuckle Hill, which is at the western end of the Kaituna Track. The weather was now clear and sunny and the views went over the Inlet, to Farewell Spit, to the swamp below, the coast to the South, and peaks of Slate and Gouland Range coated in fresh snow. Next at Pakawau some traversed lush farmland for a similar and perfect view from what we called "Pakawau Hill". A call at the Mussel Inn in Golden Bay was our final stop.
During the evenings at the Field Centre House we had slideshows, thanks to the power supply and the thoughtfulness of David Blunt in providing projector, screen and slides, and also Ruth Hesselyn's contributions. There was abundant laughter in response to comments like:
“Where did you park your bike, Ruth?” (Ruth on a mountain top wearing a hard hat)
“Dirt floor and Penthouse magazines” (description of Old Airforce shelter on Red Hills)
“That's actually a rope between his legs - or an umbilical cord” (A three legged looking climber on a rock)!
The participants of this trip were: David Blunt, Lindsay Twiname, Ross Price, Mark Stevens, Alison and David Nicol, Ruth Hesselyn, Beryce Vincenzi, Alice Patterson and Katherine and Emily, Gretchen Williams, Marianne Hermsen, Christine Spears, Uta Purcell.