The first tramp for the year was also a last chance for the club to walk the Rapaki Farm Walk in its current form, as the farm has just been sold and the future of the walk is unknown. We met at Ruth and Pete’s property, which borders the north west corner of the farm, and from there, with the owner’s permission, we went on an extensive 3 hour ramble right round the whole farm.
While sunny, we had a welcome breeze on the hilltops to cool us down. The route took us over paddocks, through orchards, along gulleys, and up to the morning tea spot overlooking the vineyards of Te Muna Road and the hills beyond.
We then descended to Te Muna Road, skirting along behind vineyards, over creeks, up a long winding farm track, finally reaching the hilltops again, where we lunched by Ineke Kershaw’s memorial seat. Some of us chose shade amongst the baby thistles, and others preferred the sunshine, and the view looking out over the Wairarapa Valley to the Tararuas.
We then walked back down the hill to the farm stockyards, crossed 3 more paddocks, back to the start. At various places en route we encountered and fed colonies of multicoloured chooks and peafowl, which have been released onto the farm. On other visits with Ruth and Pete, we have been treated to a magnificent tail display by a large peacock, but perhaps our slightly noisy group of 17 scared him off.
We were very pleased with the turn-out of walkers, including the return of an ex-member, and several new people. No one had a problem with the stiles, or got gored by a horned beast, and we all managed to keep our feet dry while crossing boggy creeks!
Our thanks to the landowners, and to our guides for devising an interesting circuitous route.
SWTC welcomes new members. Phone or email Ed and Juliet Cooke, 06 304 9497 or efjac@xtra.co.nz. See our Facebook page and website.
