Queen's Birthday Weekend

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QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND The air was cold but in the tent we Shortly we came to a stream and were snug and warm and the flickering found an ideal camp site. We had a spot candlelight threw shadows around us as of lunch (about three o'clock) and Brian the daylight faded away. After a large departed for Ruapehu with promises to evening meal it was a pleasant atmos- return that night. Just in case he got phere to talk over the day and sundry lost, he took adequate gear to last him matters within the comfort of one's pit. a week. So after wishing him farewell, Certainly the Desert Road at mid- as if he was going on a Himalayan exnight the evening before had not looked pedition, Paul, Val and I prepared stew the most inviting place to alight from a food down by the stream and talked nice warm bus and start unloading packs about shoes and ships and sealing wax. and to try to tie bootlaces with slowly Night drew on and we dozed off for a freezing fingers. But the "stars were while, and about midnight woke again bright" with the promise of a fine day for a bit more conversation. Would to come and it was a large and cheerful Brian return. I doubt it. Later. Was that group that set off for the unknown. The a cooee-no, just Rosie snoring. Ten track was frozen solid and thousands of minutes later. Paul, I can hear voices. slivers of ice were shattered by the Voices? Is Brian talking to himself? tramp of many feet. Within a short No, there are two lights. He must have time we had come to some bush by the been too scared to come back alone in river and soon all was quiet. the dark. A few minutes later we found The sky had lightened all too quickly, it was the president himself and they but by the look of the balaclava and both complained bitterly at us not having long-John clad figures, it was obviously yelled out sooner. still rather cool. No, Paul, the ground What a time it took for them to get isn't steaming yet but it seems we must settled. They told us all about the rise and do something about cooking R.M.C.A. meeting, one contradicting the that necessity of life-FOOD. other so much that we began to wonder After making sure all the others had if either of them had really been there got away to a good start (and helping at all. Silence reigned. Gary pack his gear) Brian, Paul, Val It was a bit breezy next morning but and I more leisurely dismantled our the girls, being the only energetic ones, camp and set off in their wake. It was soon had breakfast under way!-the a beautiful morning and the sun was criticism from the tent was quite unwarm although the ice had not yet justified. melted. Ruapehu on one side and Nga- We followed our stream down to the ruahoe on the other, both clothed in first Tama Lake and walked across the snow and sunshine, were a lovely sight. sands of the desert to reach the water. Camera stops became compulsory and One almost expected to see Lawrence our steps were light with the joy of the come riding round the corner on his open air and blue skies. We saw two camel. We climbed up a ridge in a cold words scratched on the path-"Not far". wind and swirling mist to try and see What was not far? We didn't really care where the other lake was, but only whether anything was far or not. caught a glimpse of it for a minute. As Waihono Hut was an excellent spot the weather was a little inclement we for a short sunbathe and a bite of apple. didn't waste too much time getting down made even more enjoyable as we could again and back to camp (and the dirty see the rest of the party climbing slowly breakfast dishes!) a scree ridge in the direction of Everything was soon tided up and we On azain, and later a possy were on our way. The track Nertuascer was very by the stream was just the place to stop easy and mostly level, although the for instant fizz ani chocolate. countryside became more broken with We gradually climbed up to a saddle deep gouges cut by the streams. We only und soon could sée a deep depression. had a quick look at the Taranaki Falls Would this be one of the Tama Lakes? as by this time a light misty rain was Well, it could be, I suppose, but where falling. To the cheerful tunes of such is the water. Perhaps it's dried up. Of songs as "We're Riding Along on the course there is some water-what's that Crest of a Wave", we arrived at the down there if it isn't water? Looks morc Chateau about three o'clock and thence like a duck pond to me. Such were the to the hut and a nice hot wash: comments. -Rosemary Chittenden