Mystery Trip to Opotiki
11 Sep 2019
Mystery Trip to Opotiki.
Thirty six members of Pohutukawa Ohope Probus Club, had a very enjoyable mystery trip to Opotiki. They left Whakatane in three vans at 9 am and headed inland to Waiotahi across a lot of back-country roads. Some were unsealed, where members passed acres of kiwifruit orchards, the odd school one of which the driver pointed out where Lisa Carrington's parents taught. Then over the Paerata Ridge down to Woodlands where they headed to Hikutaia Domain to view the burial tree (puriri) which is said to be over 2000 years old. Marnie Ansts who wrote the children's book Taketakerau The Millennian Tree came and spoke to the Club about the history of the tree. She has a book for sale at Paper Plus in Whakatane, Opotiki Information Centre, Opotiki Museum and on her website. The members had a walk through a beautiful native bush area with the singing of birds.
Followed by leaving the area and driving to the other side of Opotiki town where they disembarked and walked up to the swing bridge crossing over the Otara River, then it was off on foot along the river bank to the wharf where a couple of members spoke to the Club about Opotiki's history and future development of the mussel farm and what it means to Opotiki. Next into town for lunch at Crossroads Hotel.
After lunch, they headed to Guy Nicholls’ 500 hectare maize farm just out of town and viewed several sheds of immaculately restored farm equipment and tools. The members did enjoy this trip down memory lane viewing this wonderfully displayed equipment. Into the vans and off to Ruatuna Road around the Ohiwa Harbour where one of the members wife organised a delicious afternoon tea. They were entertained by a couple on a guitar and piano accordian who were sitting on the lawn in the sun with the tranquil harbour inlet behind them. The view from their home was breathtaking and was situated with bush all around and the chorus of birds. After a beautiful sunny day, they were homeward bound. The Club says a big thank you to all who made this trip so enjoyable.
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