Newsletter - 19th October 2025
Photo of the Week
Each week we will post an image taken by one of our walkers of a scene they spotted on a walk. Generally these images should not include photos of any walkers. Please send any images to info@cpcw.co.nz noting photo of the week in the subject line.
This week’s photo was taken by Janet Tyson from the Spinnaker Lookout in Whitby.
Last week's walks
All walks proceeded this week – much rejoicing all around! The three days of walks did not exactly produce Hawkes Bay weather, but they were all dry days and there was even a little warmth in the sun (if you escaped the wind!). On Wednesday there was a total of 53 PPs, SSs and FFs who walked various routes around Whitby. Thursday’s group of 8 + Red walked 6km around the hill paths of Churton Park. Friday saw a group of 13 walk in Spicer Forest between Tawa and Porirua.
Notice - Methven Trip
Vacancy – Methven Trip, November 5 – 9
A vacancy has become available on our annual Away Walk. The trip this year is to Methven for four nights, arriving November 5 and departing November 9. The accommodation cost includes breakfast and is $135 per night for a twin or double room or $100 per night for single occupancy. For more details please contact David Pegram (David.Pegram.nz@gmail.com). The deadline for replies is midday on Wednesday 22 October.
Walk details for Wednesday October 22nd
This Week’s Walks: Closer to home this Wednesday with all walks starting and ending in Crofton Downs. The SS and FF walks are slightly shorter than usual, but do include some hills to make up for this. The PP walk does also have a gentle rise to make up for the slightly shorter distance. The walks will start at 9:20am from the designated starting point.
PPs: A 2.69 km walk which includes a loop and a separate, there and back section, into the new nearby subdivision. Generally good surfaces. You can see the walk here.
SSs: A 4.20km loop walk which is quite undulating in parts. On good surfaces apart from a rustic track between Collingwood Street and Thatcher Crescent. The check of this rustic track included running into an older couple who were checking it out and ticking it off for the BUPA walking group. So we cannot be too precious about its condition. You can see the walk here.
FFs: A 5.54 km loop walk on walking tracks and footpaths. Quite a few rises! You can see the walk on Mapometer here and Plotaroute here.
Parking: Parking for all three groups is on the northern end of Spencer Street and, if needed, can extend around the corner into Silverstream Road. If we extend into Silverstream Road, please keep to the left hand (west) side of the road as we have caused problems in the past when we used both sides. However, there is plenty of on street parking as most of the nearby Spencer Street housing enter their properties from other streets.
Coffee: Nothing booked. but there are Simmer and Thyme back in Churton Park and also several other cafes on the way home.
Happy walking.
Russell Paterson
Walk Schedules: You can look at the walk schedule for Ocotober 2025 here.
Reminder: Please ensure that you inform your group’s leader if you leave a walk partway through.
Cancellations: If the walks are cancelled an email will be sent out as early as possible but definitely before 8:00am.
Calendar of Events
2025 CPCW CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE PINES WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3RD
Mark your diaries now for one of CPCW’s two great annual social gatherings.
Who? YOU
When? Wednesday December 3rd at noon
Deadline for booking is Saturday November 22nd.
Where? The Pines, 50 The Esplanade, Houghton Bay
What? Join your fellow walkers for a buffet meal, great camaraderie and a lot of fun. Santa and his elf may well pay a visit!
Cost? $45 per head for the meal
$50 per head for meal and return travel by bus from Churton Park Village to The Pines
Bar open for purchase of drinks
Transport? The CPCW committee would like to encourage you to travel by bus and are subsidising the cost of the journey. Travelling by bus means you can enjoy a drink with lunch without worrying about driving. Parking at The Pines is limited, so bus travel will deliver you to the door (almost!) without the hassle of finding a park and back home (almost!)
Seats on the bus are limited; early booking advised!
Bus Travel? Bus will leave Churton Park Village with boarding from 11.15am for an 11.25am departure and arrival at The Pines at midday.
Return journey – boarding at 3.30pm at The Pines for a 3.40pm departure and arrival at Churton Park Village at 4.15pm
How? To ensure your seat at a table please make payment by direct credit to: CPCW A/C: 02-0524-0233091-00
Please put your name and number of guests in the particulars field and, in the reference field, put either ‘Xmas’ or ‘XmasBus’ depending upon whether or not you wish to take the bus. For example: JSmithX2 XmasBus
Cancellation Policy? CPCW must confirm numbers for the lunch and bus by November 22nd.
No refunds will be given for bookings cancelled after that date.
More Info? Please email info@cpcw.co.nz or please phone a committe member https://www.cpcw.co.nz/elementor-2244/
Here is a link to the menu.
CPCW Photos
Wednesday Walkers
PPs: The photo of the PPs is courtesy of Mike Drain. Good to see his subjects posed away from the lake edge!
SSs: Thank you to Janet Tyson for the photo of the second group of SSs sitting at the Spinnaker Lookout. There are three seated members enjoying a well deserved break after the climb. I note that they are sitting on a site titled “Time Capsule” and I wonder whether they are waiting to be added or whether they have escaped after 12 years?? The second photo is courtesy of Rowena Rowe. Some good cloud formations in the backgrounds of both photos.
FFs: Bill Gaudie took this photo of the FFs at an intersection. Usually the leader of the FFs charges ahead yelling “I know where we are going”, shortly followed by the group retracing their steps. Maybe today they were taking the time to check their route?
Thursday Walkers
Christine Binns advised that the group was much larger this week, reflecting the improved weather. However, the nor-west gusts still kept them on their toes as they walked the CP hills! The photos were taken by Hue Ng and Gillian Mills.
Friday Walkers
After a cancellation last week, the Friday group were keen to get back to the hills. This week they were led by Jane Gaudie up some 660m over nearly 16km in Spicer Forest – so they made up for last week.
Thank you to Clint Davis for these photos. They prove that Wellington does get blue skies and sunshine – albeit sparingly in spring 2025! Great views over Porirua and Transmission Gully.
