A Sunday Trip

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

A SUNDAY TRIP stopped for energy food at the en- Some months ago, on a Friday trance to an unwholesome-Jooking night, Norm Whiteside, Bruce Jeffer- pool which we took to mark the start ies, and I lit out from Bannister Hut of the 'bad' gorge; it was. Pool, rapid; for Powell. After the usual struggle, rapid, pool; fight, struggle, swim; we made it at about 1 a.m., and made shiver, shudder; teeth uncontrollably as quick a brew as was possible, in chatter; hands independently quiver; our weakened state, before hitting flesh pimples, stomach quakes; long, the sack. At 4 a.m. the alarm went black, frigid, sluggish depths; rough, off. We dragged ourselves out of our black, towering, dripping walls; roarbags to find a light rain falling and ing, raging, fcaming rapids; treacha view consisting entirely of cloud. erous, slimy, slithery bottom; slip, Obviously a gorge trip in such wea- twist, fall, grab and scramble to feet, ther needed careful consideration, so dripping water from every hairwe put on a brew to help with the walls overhung-sun excluded-willconsidering. Fortunately at the cru- power forcing unwilling, cringing cial moment a heavier shower ar- body on-and on-and on -

Yeah-well, an hour later, a rapid We understand that it takes apswept us out into the sun at Hector proximately one hour to get an urgent forks; and here we brewed and ate, telegram sent from the Chateau Tong. and during the hour we were there, since the new service was inauguour clothes were laid out on the hot rated boulders, and dried. Then on again, but the next swim, now that we were * * * dried and fed, was actually refresh- How to Enjoy Your Ride to Work in ing, although after a few more it the Morning on a Full Bus, Standing was a pleasant relief to arrive at Up: Totara Flats, 90 minutes later. De- Try this:-Face the driver's spite the sandflies, we repeated the end, Hector Forks performance, and an place one foot slightly in front of hour later started up Totara Creek the other and keep legs close toin dry clothing. After a longish day, gether all the way up. Slightly flex the climb to the Mountain House the knees and ankles. Lightly grasp turn off seemed unduly steep, but the top of a seat either side of the eventually, in fact, 15 hours after aisle. Try to anticipate the bus stopleaving Powell Hut, we staggered out ping by flexing the legs, while tryat Bannister in fading light. ing to keep your feet in the same And spot. Don't go into the *s/h crouch, so for 1960, we finished our as it is termed in some circles. Soon swimming trips-Ruamahanga, Otaki you will find you can do without the and Waiohine Gorges-in four weeks. hand-holds, but there is a danger that We hid each other's tubes in very, another passenger will grab you when very good hiding places! he's off balance. This can only end in NICK JENNINGS. a tangled heap, up with the driver. * * * But you'll all admit that your ride to work has been much more interesting.