Seventeen people were present for an interesting evening at the home of Bryan and Joanne Schroeder in
Wattle Downs. Alasdair Nicoll took us to the Chatham Islands, which he had recently visited. We viewed
the coastal scenery of the northern beaches, as well as the small settlement of Waitangi on the main
island’s western side. We also had a good look at the unusual vegetation and wildlife, including large
trees that had been deformed by the prevailing winds.
Alasdair told us that most of the Chatham
Islands is private property, but there are a few reserves. There is no cellphone coverage. People travelling
to the islands would need to secure their accommodation before making their plane bookings, otherwise
they are almost certain to be put on the next flight home - an expensive return trip for nothing, as
there are no grabaseat-style fares.
As an extra, we visited D’Urville Island in the Marlborough
Sounds, where Alasdair had recently been on a DoC working-bee trip.
We went out to the kitchen
area afterwards for a pot-luck supper to finish off the evening, which proved to be far more interesting
than watching the All Blacks thrash France.
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