Saturday 22nd July 2023
As a new member on their first club trip I wasn’t sure what I was letting myself in for. It was to be mid-winter Xmas dinner staying at Waiuta Lodge. It wasn’t advertised as a 1000m climb before lunch, but I was still wary it might be something other than what they said it would be. But true to form it turned out to be a great weekend of meeting, greeting, eating, laughing, and more eating. Sorry to those who missed out on an excellent weekend, you really did miss a good one.
But, perhaps I should explain. Arriving at Waiutu we had a quick bite and a cuppa courtesy of apprentice barista Di before heading out on an explore of the old town with trip leader Euan being left behind to slave over a hot stove. While we wandered around we contemplated being hauled up a 800m mine shaft in a bucket, men getting the hot showers while the women had a tub of cold water in front of the fire in a drafty cottage, having a clip at the barbers, swimming in the “pool” with the eels, playing rugby on the mullock heap or having a flutter on the whippet racing. And if your night of drinking went awry maybe a night locked up in the police station.
But returning to the lodge we found we were in for a treat – the start of the main event.
Part 1 – Afternoon Tea
This was serious stuff. Do I choose the pink lamington or the chocolate, do I try a French fancy or yummy looking tart or just go for the potato chips. Or do I sample it all – if you know me you know I would try all 4. I mean we had been for a walk after all.
As a couple of us thought about going for another explore, the games started coming out.
Part 1b – Gaming
Although no money changed hands, it proved to be serious competition. Coming back from our short 2nd explore the couple of us who had been absent could see things were hotting up. They’d moved from Yahtzee to Articulate. You might have thought we could have remained looking in from the outside, but nope we were gathered into the games along with Candis who had just arrived. And in the middle of all this Euan was up and down checking on the turkey and veges as these yummy smells emanated from the stove.
Part 2 – Dinner
You wouldn’t believe it – but yes, we were served up scrumptious turkey, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and white sauce. Ummmum. Euan, you were outstanding. As the Christmas pud went on for its final steaming game 3 came out. Cards Against Humanity. For anyone who has played it you will know what it is like. I could never explain it but it is definitely not PC. I have seen it described as a game for horrible people. And the winners were outdoing each other. You wouldn’t believe what they came up with. Not to be repeated on any public website and I am not sure whether I should name them, but watch out for Euan, Di and Graham. What is going on in their heads!!! I didn’t win any of the black cards, it was either the bad cards I had been dealt with, I am too PC or maybe I didn’t have enough wine. Whatever, it was heaps of fun, lots of laughter and scandalous outbursts.
But wait there’s more.
Part 3 – Dessert.
Seriously good homemade Christmas pudding with whipped cream. Again Euan you excelled. We had to start winding down as our stomachs expanded and we grew sleepy with so much delicious food and belly laughs. The sky was obscured by cloud so no star watching this night, but rather a slow wander back to our warm bunk room.
But, it was not over yet. We awoke to cooking smells of a full breakfast – sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, baked beans and coffee. It doesn’t get much better than this.
So, if this was a Hokitika Tramping Club trip I’m all in. Definitely looking forward to the next trip. I know I will have to endure some tramping in there somewhere but I can tell you the club is full of great people and great ideas. Lots of good company, laughter and good conversation. Don’t miss out, come along and enjoy. And I’ll see you there.
