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Friday Four vehicles made their way independently to Te Aroha Apostolic Church on Friday night. We bedded down at the church for the night. Saturday We were all pleased to win a race - a race against the rising sun to get our heads off the wentilillos! We departed at 8am for Lindemann Rd picking up our 3 drivers on the way. The sky was clear with a 15`C breeze as we set out on the track at 9:20am. We stopped at the shelter for lunch and Peter shared devotions with us. We arrived at the new Waitawheta hut around 4:30pm.The new hut is situated at on the old Mill site. DOC have cleared up this whole area and put in many tracks with information stations where there are remnants of the old mill. The hut has bunks for 26 but floor space for 40+. there is also heaps of tent space outside. The warden has the only hot shower. That night we received a telegram from the Queen wishing Peter her very best wishes for his birthday. Sunday We awoke to a frost, despite the fact it was the “warm” end of autumn. We set off down the track to the old hut site 30mins downstream. It was then a long hard climb ascending 400m+ to get to Mt Te Aroha Rd. After lunch we had devotions and then split up the group - some going to the summit via the road and the rest via the track. By the time we reached the top the sky had clouded over and the air temp was 12`C. It was a great relief to get into the spa at the hot springs once down from the mountain! |