Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Kaitaia Walkway - second attempt

Mum was helping set up computers this morning so we had a boys outing to Kaitaia Walkway to reach the lookout point this time. Mood was upbeat at the outset, boys collected rations hats sticks etc. They even carried all their own gear. We quickly reached the point at which we had turned back last time. I was thinking that the going was a bit tame a bulldozed, clear flat lane through bush.
We got to the bit in the 3rd photo below where there had been a slip. After that the track was much more interesting. Let's say it was not wheelchair accessible any more. Stuart fell by the wayside so we said we would come back for him in 15 mins. Eric was keen to reach the top. Paddy was taking it all in his stride. Eric in fact stormed off ahead which I was not pleased about in case he or I slipped - nightmare scenario come to think of it - it is a good job I didn't have to do a risk assessment on this trip! Just as I was starting to become concerned as the track was becoming overgrown, with slippy bits going straight down the hillside, Eric appeared. We decided to head back to Stuart who had been waiting for over 15 minutes on his own. Eric was pretty tired, but reckoned he had reached the lookout.
The first picture was the last one taken. (Remember to post them the other way round in future.) They were pretty mutinous by the time that one was taken. I was the worst father in the world for dragging them up there etc etc. I bet they will talk of this walk in years to come as an epic in family history.
In the mean-time, I am up for Kaitaia Walkway no.3 if anyone cares to join me?

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