On a fine Sunday morning at 9am our eight assembled at Barnett Park and lead by Helen--our very experienced east ender--headed up the quite muddy track towards the summit road. The Barnett Park track that goes to caves is disused since the Christchurch quakes.

After a morning tea stop at a large water tank we headed parallel to Clifton Tce then zigged to the other side of the little valley towards the new development of Richmond Hill, once a farm and golf course. From Windsor Castle, a 298m hill, we followed the gravel road to the Summit Road, crossing over it to walk to Jollies Bush with its well-planned array of tracks and healthy-looking vegetation. At the lower reaches of the reserve we had a lunch stop. Four of us sat in the old stone shelter and four in the sun beside the summit road. In a cool breeze we climbed higher along the crater rim to reach 499m Mt Pleasant which gives a super view of Lyttelton.

Down a spur road, we reached the Summit Road via Broadleaf Lane and walked east to big pines to connect with the EE Track. We reached the cars at 3pm as the predicted rain arrived--all ten rain-drops of it. This was an enjoyable circuit with great views. Our thanks go to guide Helen for her experienced navigation and planning. We were: Helen Harkness, Jill Fenner, Chris Leaver, Graham Townsend, Stan Wilder, Joy Schroeder, Wendy Wallace and Kerry Moore (KM)