Distance: 6 km
Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Start: Corner of Wakefield Terrace and Sumnervale Road (lower), Sumner
Finish: Same place (it's loopish)
Date: Friday 28th May 2021
We parked on the corner of Wakefield Terrace and Sumnervale Road (lower) and donned raincoats. A fine drizzle was falling and we all admitted thoughts of cancellation. But we are a hardy bunch which is just as well because after a few minutes the drizzle stopped and a very pleasant walk ensued.
First up: a Daphne bush exuding the most gorgeous smell. We clustered around to get a whiff. Memories of my childhood came flooding back (we had a Daphne bush in the garden at Parkhill Road).
Second up: the ponies (and a donkey) at the end of Sumnervale road. They were exuding a horsey smell which also reminded me of my childhood (my friends horse stood on my foot once).
 |
| Not Daphne |
The Captain Thomas Track branches off to the left as you enter Sumnervale Reserve. Keeping to the left side of the field, you then exit the reserve, cross a bridge and head up the hill to cross Sumnervale Road (upper). Captain Thomas was an early settler who surveyed the streets of Sumner, Lyttelton and Christchurch from the 1850's.
The track goes up the valley to Evan's Pass but you can make a loop of it by turning left at the first unmarked junction and then crossing Evan's Pass Road to the Scarborough Bluffs Track. This bit is called Waterfall Track for no obvious reason.
About 10 minutes up the Scarborough Bluff Track there is another unmarked junction and from here the track runs parallel to Evan's Pass Road all the way up to Rapanui Bush.
We crossed the road just below Evan's Pass and headed back down the valley, once again on the Captain Thomas Track. Views down to Sumner from here are awesome.
As we descended the valley, we came to a hairpin bend and a "Track closed" sign, behind which stood a rather tantalising gate. I suggested we go this way and nobody was really objecting too hard (although there was some talk of possible "rock climbing" and somebody -who shall not be named- being like an "effing mountain goat").
Actually I had been on this track a few times after the earthquakes and this time it was a lot less weedy and obviously well frequented. We passed underneath some very attractive rocky outcrops and discussed survival strategies in the unlikely event of an earthquake. The main scenarios considered were: "run like a banshee" ; "crouch into the bank" or "watch the rocks coming and try and dodge them". Luckily these scenarios were not tested. The track nicely descended to Wakefield Tce and we were soon back at the car.
We headed to the Scarborough Cafe which has such an awesome view of the wild and woolly waves. Over coffees, hot chocolates and muffins, we discussed the spiritual nature of ultimate frisbee. Out to sea, a surfer was paddling and paddling but getting nowhere. Half an hour later he/she/they were still there. The back legs flapping in the air looked a little unco. We began to discuss a rescue and with that in mind, alerted the staff. A cluster of us gathered outside to watch. Surely if the surfer was in trouble they would stop that ineffectual paddling and stick their hand in the air? Wouldn't they?
Somebody said "She'll be right". This felt reassuring so we drove home.
