A Saturday tramp and good weather brought out 6 keen and fit trampers to follow their Leader, myself, on an easy tramp. Speed I could not offer, but beautiful scenery and some historic interest. The latter was a brief stop at the Rai Valley Cottage on Opouri Road, built by the first European settlers in that area. We peeped through the windows of the totara and beech slab construction. 

Next stop on the Opouri Saddle was mandatory and the view of the Sounds much photographed. The drive to the car park leads through impressive bush.

The track from Duncan Bay around the peninsula provided us with super water views through the trees. Morning tea at the shoreline was followed by uphill efforts to the Saddle at 347m. From here on the Leader stayed at the back, arriving ½ hour after the group, enjoying lunch while the others were sent downhill towards Nydia Bay for views and more leg stretch. We were unanimous in accepting that the view from up the tree was best. Returning downhill to Duncan Bay the way we had come and the day warming up to 25°C, we stopped at Pippi Beach. A paddle in the water could not be resisted while we snacked and observed boats and summerly water activity. Social chatter during driving and walking, getting to know a bit of our backgrounds, was genuinely enjoyed by the participants.

Trampers: Troy Dixon, Richard Benfield (visitor), Maaike Van Hoeflaken (visitor), Glenys Henry (visitors) and her family members Juanita Mackie-Lynch and Matt Mackie-Lynch, and Uta Purcell (Leader & scribe)