So these ‘Trampers’ then...

Last week was the first of having to attend compulsory learning! Am doing 1st, 2nd and 3rd year courses (one of each). Just the usual introductory lectures so nothing exciting to report there - much the same as you might expect from a Lancaster lecture, just the lecturers have funny accents - not all Kiwi however, the GIS lecturer is Irish. The most interesting course is the Year 1 ‘Antarctica, Unfreezing the Continent’, which is quite interesting and rather different to anything previous as it focusses on certain things, such as the early expeditions, the ecosystems, the science rather than just talking in general terms, as some courses tend to do.

After nearly three weeks in New Zealand, Friday was another opportunity to be welcomed to the country by the international office, in every language except English itself, I guess British people are not International enough for that! It was also a good chance to meet up with all the people who I met in the Nomad’s hostel and during the orientation week. We were even provided with free New Zealand beers, wines and (international) food!

A little bit of Lancaster got lost - by 12 000 miles, and ended up as a small street in Karori, suburban Wellington, NZ!

And then for Saturday - the first of the trips with the ‘Tramping Club’. This was to the Rimutaka range on the East side of Wellington Harbour, the aim was to walk up to Mt Matthews, the highest in the Forest Park at 941m. The day started clear and frosty, however the plans were slightly altered due to the rather extended lunch break, nearly two hours of (faff) frying all luxury components of a cooked breakfast polished off with hot puddings and drinking chocolate. I decided to settle for the more traditional mountain lunch of sandwiches, home-baked flapjack and an apple, which I polished off in about 10 mins. For the remaining 1hr 50mins of the ‘lunch break’, I harnessed the fine aroma of a greasy cafe in the middle of a NZ temperate rainforest!

After the lunch break, those who had found it difficult move decided to descend, whilst I and a group of keen followers (intent on burning off all the well earnt calories) ascended to a bush-free shoulder on Mt Matthews, above the South Saddle. From this vantage point we got great views of the surrounding rainforest choked valleys, but unfortunately no sea view, as the cloud had started to roll in.

Johnstone Hill summit, looking East over Wellington, the Harbour and East to the Rimutaka Forest Park. Mt Matthews with summit dipping into the cloud

Sunday was another clear and sunny day and after visiting the fruit/ veg market with Jon (from flat) I headed out to explore the Wellington Suburbia. This expedition took me west out to Karori and then up to Johnstone Hill just before sunset, for fine views all around Wellington and down to South Island.

So these ‘trampers’ then... Firstly, they certainly don’t mind getting wet feet - we crossed the Orongorongo river that was often nearly up our waists about 10 times, this is fairly normal for a Tramping trail. I think my recent investment in Scarpa SL’s may have been a mistake, waders, or even a wetsuit may have been a better idea! Secondly, the shorts thing! I guess it would be generalising to say that all Kiwi’s opt for shorts when out and about on Tramps (for whatever reason) but this was 100% true on Saturday, and it’s only the equivalent of UK January over here! The only strange ones in trousers were myself and another northern hemisphere counterpart, Nicolai from Germany. Thirdly, these hardened people, unlike yer average rambler, are not kept going by the prospect of a cosy fire ‘n a pint a Cumberland at end ot ‘day... shocking!

All wrapped up for the weather above South Saddle, Rimutaka Forest Park

I think I’ll stick to being a 'TRambler' for the time being!