Bushlands Campground, tangarakau 11-13 November 2022

16 club members enjoyed a great week at Bushlands Camp, Tangarakau. 11 in motor homes and 5 in cosy little cabins. We set out in the rain but the weather brightened up the nearer we got and we arrived in sunshine. Friday night happy hour was on the cookhouse deck, entertained by a visiting 96 year old man who had been born in Tangarakau, population 1200 at that time, now 22. The Tangarakau area has a fascinating history, which is shared by a number of Heritage information boards and an interesting museum display at the camp.
Saturday morning was showery on and off but we headed off on the Canyon walk, a 40 minute stroll along the Tangarakau River to a spectacular cliff amphitheater. It echoed, we made Wietze demonstrate that. We were also treated to the sight of a herd of wild horses who ventured closer to check us out. After lunch 4 climbed Pouatu peak to a trig, and 5 walked the railway track to the first tunnel, then watched the Rail carts come in for their afternoon tea stop. The rain had cleared by 11 and it was warm and sunny for the rest of the day, some of us were unprepared and a bit pink. Most of us made use of the pizza oven for dinner and sat around the fire pit until 10 pm, a very pleasant evening.
Sunday morning dawned drizzly but improved. Those who didn’t do the railway walk set off on that and walked through the tunnel to the next tunnel. After a cuppa most of us packed up and headed to the Whangamomona Hotel for lunch, leaving Finers and Guts contemplating staying another night, Jim and Werner planning on another walk up to a dam site. A great weekend was had by all, great company and great Camp Hosts. Those who came were Mcnairs, Finers, Flemings, Linns, Barklas, Michelle Meyer, Alan Rogers, Wietze Hoogeveen and Rae Hannah, Werner Gut and Yolanda Muehlemann.

Jan Fleming