Return of a Friend

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.

RETURN OF A FRIEND Beth Griffiths In the early 1960's Kate Brady was a well us that Waiohine was bank to bank. Everything known girl about the Tongue & Meats. She was damp except our spirits. We had years of was visiting New Zealand on a 3 year working chatter to catch up on. holiday. Many will remember Kate, the "Irish lass" on a number of trips, including tramping, While breakfasting we were visited by the rock climbing and alpine activities. AMP Rescue helicopter. "Ah", we thought, "not for us?". No, apparantly a harrier was missing Her love for New Zealand and desire to return from the previous day after a short run from to the Tararua Ranges and other regions Donellys Flats and would we keep an eye out. prompted her return - almost 25 years later. Also we were warned that Totara creek was running very high. So we set off deciding a trip She arrived in New Zealand in late January as up high ridge to Powell Hut might be the the weather began to improve. answer. After 27, hours climbing and talking we were alerted by a call in the bush. So we Wellington of course had changed a great deal shut up and listened - call again - yes and had come a long way since the first high here we come and guess what two wet bush rise Shell House in Shell gully!! Never-the-less maidens found - one exhausted harrier. the old landmarks were still there - -if Being T&M's with ancient bush craft somewhat changed - some into smart knowledge, etc, we soon had the fellow warm, restaurants like the Oriental Bay band rotunda dressed, fed and cheered up. Since he wasn'tin and the public loos at Courtenay Place, too bad a shape we decided the best plan was affectionately known as the Taj Mahal". to drop into Totara Creek where the helicopter had been sweeping at regulari intervals. So with A Sunday at home was held for Kate and lots of encouragement we escorted "Bruce" attended by many club members who were down onto the flats = al bit demoralising for us active at the time of Kate's first visit. Most folk after our upl hill climb. By then a rest was had been club officers, trip leaders and needed. So while Kate made sandwiches, I participants, and the stories of "do you administered some first aid, etc. The weather remember" were tales on their own.. Also quite was showery but fortunately still warm and revealing, was a quick slide show into the past after a rest we decided to move along Totara ofthese upright folks. Creek. About an hour later, while in the bush we heard the helicopter coming. We dashed Some of the local visits included a trip to the into the open of the creek and waved madly. Orongorongo Ranges. What a pleasant walk Yes they had seen us. They circled round and where has the guts buster gone ? hovered. "Well done girls" and "you'll be okay won'tyou" - and off they went. So that's our excitement over. Toddle on the hill A picnic at the Otaki Forks and a quick stroll girls, up up the Waiotauru was followed by a revisit to onto the road end. What a long day - what Totara Flats. We stretched our legs on a super about all our gear ? Yes that was safely returned. The "Bruce', our new track up Gentle Annie. By the time we following day reached Rocky lookout, misty showers had set harrier sent us each a lovely boquet of flowers in. Undaunted we pushed on to Totara Creek. and thanks. We guess Masterton Search and Follow the track - what track - - such erosion, Rescue appreciated our efforts as they had a by now its raining rather heavily, all creeks and busy time on. streams running fast. Eventually we reached the new bridge over the Wiaohine. A quick Might say we did have a bit of trouble visit to the old Totara flats hut and on to the convincing some T&M's of our drama until new' Totara flats - lovely spot and very nice photos were developed. hut, which we had to ourselves I mid week trampers privilege. Calm amd warm rain, rain, We spent a few days sorting, washing and rain all night long. A quick early dawn look told packing and then we were off to Nelson.

- - - > - - - - - - Three of us, Kate and Beth and Pat McNair, set off to do the Abel Tasman Walk. Though we'd learn German before we would go again. Loved the bird life, beaches and sun = not sO keen on the mosquitoes, sandflies and crowded campsites. A day was spent around the Nelson environs, escorted by Rosie and Val (2 more T&M's) visiting a number of pottery craft and vineyards. From Wellington, Kate moved on to revisit Tongariro National Park. Pat, Kate and Beth at Able Tasman National Park in February 1990. After a few days there, including some good trips like a Tongariro crossing and an around the Mountain tramp, Kate unfortunately broke her fibula. Thinking it was only a bad strain she managed to get to Auckland where an x-ray proved the break. What a sad ending to such formed. Already Sunday tramps have been run, an exciting holiday. The. Auckland T&M's with Murray Hall leading the first of these in particularly the Yips looked after things there February to the Waitakere Ranges. Sadly Kate and many gathered at the Yips home for a bit the Irish lass from England went home 2 of a session. weeks early to rest her leg. (Apparently English plasteris tinted pale green and is water The spin off to this unfortunate accident was proof.) Do come back Kate, we all loved your that an informal northern WT&MC was visit.