Paua "Bushcraft" Weekend

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* PAUA "BUSHCRAFT" WEEKEND (8 August, 1963) We all met first on the inter-island We next went to Brian's flat, and wharf on Friday night to farewell the 12 after a brisk shower, a quick change into travelling Tongue & Meats who were off our groppy mocker, and a rapid meal, to Queenstown for a week. The occasion we made a fast trip to Hilary's flat, the was a somewhat gusty affair and the occasion being her twenty-first birthstreamers managed to get themselves en- day. We were joined here by John tangled around most things, including Patchett, Bruce Jefferies, Margaret Miss Rickard, who went aboard "gift- Webb, and Dave Capper, whom we had wrapped". picked up en route. When this very en- After the last "far-call" (both vocal joyable evening came to an end, we and tele-communicated) had faded its left, complete with left-over savouries, way across the harbour, we set about again to Brian's flat, and again we the real business of the weekend. The changed. Now back to Hilary's, where main party travelled by Kombi, while we picked up said young lady and pro- Norm, Brian Devon, and I went in ceeded once more into the lower ex- Norm's van, making a quick excursion tremities of the Rimutaka Ranges (there to Eastbourne where we picked up four is no such range as the Orongorongoschairs, kindly donated by Peter Atkin- quote "Evening Post", 2/8/63). I might son, for use in Paua Hut. We arrived add that by this time each ridge seemed at the foot of the five-mile at 9.30, to have been added to by approximately palmed one of the chairs off on to Geoff 2000 feet. Aitken who was just leaving with the We arrived at 5.00 a.m. on Sunday main party, changed into our tramping and slept until 11 a.m. During the aftermocker, then set off in pursuit about noon we were joined by Kate Peter 9.45. We found these chairs very com- Atkinson, and John Boot who Brady, had walked fortable, and after sitting down at various over from Eastbourne via Jackson's stages of the journey on any flat piece Track. Sunday was mostly in of track that happened to be handy, we either just sitting or visiting spent finally arrived at Paua at 1.15 a.m. ing huts, while Dave and Roger neighbour- Cole Saturday was taken up by bushcraft, shot through to Matthews. of which a reasonable amount was done, including river-crossing, fire lighting, how After leaving at about 2.15 p.m., we to use an axe, and bivvy building (the were all out by 4.00, and speaking for latter being taught by Piers Westicott myself, feeling just about ready to quote by Royal Appointment, Bivvy Builder to Peter Jones, although having enjoyed a H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edin- very pleasant, well organised, slightly burgh!). mad weekend. At 2.301 p.m. on Saturday, Norm, Others on the trip were: Kevin Brian, Geoff, Eve, and myself left our Coby, Murray Hall, Frances Kyte, Harvey, Ruth gear and started out over the five-mile, and Helen Dobbs, Irene Cole, Bill arriving at the road at 4.00. Here we Cronin, Geoff Drake. found Nick, Linda, and old Austin van, and a flat tyre. -CLIVE BICKERTON.