Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Distance: 6.7 km
Start: End of Wharf Road, Pigeon Bay
Finish: Same place (it's there and back)
Date: Friday 16th June 2023
Six chicks we were. Driving like the clappers to Banks Peninsular with a pee stop at Little River.
We parked next to the Te Papa Atawhai/Department of Conservation sign at the end of Wharf Road in Pigeon Bay and set off on the well marked track. First off, through the bush to Annadale Farm - a bit muddy underfoot, then past a hangout of shags, through a copse of gums and finally up onto the farm road. Fairly easy walking from there all the way out to the heads. Ngā mihi nui to the farm owners for allowing us to walk through their property.
I have put this walk off for years because Mark Pickering, in his book "Banks Peninsular, a guide to the bays and beaches", describes it as "a little dull sometimes". A judgement that is slightly harsh because the bay is gorgeous - an embodiment of Bank Peninsular dramatic scenery at its best. Think: long thin bay with stunning turquoise waters (if the sun is out); steep drop-offs below; cliffs and strange rock forms above. What is not to like?
Up ahead, standing directly on our road, we could see a skittish herd of young heifers. They were cute but simultaneously fairly large and scary. When they spotted us, they immediately bolted and disappeared around the next corner. Thus followed a pattern: every time we came to a corner, there they were - up ahead. They would catch sight of us and competely freak out - racing off in an unnecessary mega-panic. Weirdly, their drool could be seen splattered all over the road. Liquid stress. Or maybe cud juice. This game of cat and mouse (or cow and human) went on for quite a while until we all converged at a cattle stop. They were cornered and looking like they might do something rash. Would they stampede? We weren't sure and so we detoured off-piste a bit to give them some space and sort themselves out. They stood their ground but eventually did a U-turn, followed by a mega-panic run back in the direction we had all come. With relief we crossed the cattle stop and continued, unheeded, to the heads.
After about 1.5 hours from the carpark we came to a sign: "END OF TRACK!". As if someone were shouting at us. It felt abrupt. Before the earthquakes, the track used to continue further down to the steep cliff at Wakaroa Point. But today we were happy to sit on the conveniently placed long bench seat and eat our snacks: Coconut snowflakes, which flew about in the wind, and bananas. We watched the sheep and the ocean swell but didn't linger too long as it was a stiff breeze.
The trip back was quick. We met up with the herd again and repeated the drama in reverse. Eventually we all converged at a rocky impass. They stood their ground for a few minutes before doing their mega-panic run back towards the heads. What a bunch of ninnies.
We drove back to the Little River Cafe and had a late yummy lunch and then checked out the gallery where Jane bought pink and purple earrings to match her hair. Nice!
