After a quick coffee stop, key and car exchange, 2 cars headed out of Rai Valley for our start point at Duncan Bay. It was a cloudy overcast day with a bit of mizzle in the air. The A team (well that’s what our esteemed leader called us), consisting of Rosie-Anne, two Richard’s, Paula, Maaike, David (leader & scribe) and Elizabeth headed off for a weekend adventure.
Following the Nydia Track around Tennyson Inlet for a short way the track quickly started climbing towards the Nydia Saddle with lots of tree roots to negotiate. The bush was stunning, although there was little sight or sound of birds, with tantalising views of the Sounds every so often. Stopping for lunch just below the saddle, to avoid the wind, we quickly chilled off so didn’t linger. We headed down towards Nydia Bay on a well graded track. One of the trip highlights was stream where the eel came up to visit, sadly our camera skills couldn’t capture him but it was a giant specimen. There must have been a lot of rain in the previous few days because the streams were definitely up.
Reaching the Bay we came to a bigger river and the party decided to cool off our feet and keep our boots relatively dry so took the time to take off boots for the crossing. All except David who splashed across. We heard later that a couple of days before the river had been chest high! From there it was a short walk-through farmland with a shortcut across an inlet at low tide to the Lodge.
Nydia Bay Lodge jetty
Luxury abounded; 7 to a bunk room, hot showers, electric lights and cheese and crackers as an entrée (thank you Maaike, Michele and Peter). What a stunning setting with an excellent 1 km fitness trail to walk round with views over the Bay. Full marks to Michele for her early morning swim. It was a leisurely 8.30 am start as we re-traced our steps to the track junction before heading off up to the Kaiuma Saddle.
Tantelising view of the Sound from the saddle
Two streams to cross early in the day but after that all the stream crossings were bridged. The day was stunning, and we found a spot by a stream for an early lunch. It was a steep climb up from lunch so more than one of us were pleased we had eaten early. A quick descent into Kaiuma Bay and the A team were back at their cars. Ice creams were an irresistible temptation for most of the group at Rai Valley before we headed home.
Thanks to everyone for their great company, Peter for organising the trip and to David for leading us all. Little known facts: there were 5 people originally from England and only one person born in NZ in the group.