PICNICKING ON THE BACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1441, 27 December 1886, Page 2

PICNICKING ON THE BACK.

At this time of ‘hr > ar, esp cially on sue'' h fiercely h t Hay as we had on Saturday the very idea of a trip to the baa«,h and of a sight •-£ the big white crested waves is cooUng and refreshing, and if is not surpris n . therefore, that on Ohriatni s Day tnere was a perfect exodus Wakaoniwards. The road was alive with vehicles of a’l sorts, fro n the b g bay—cushicnr d dray loaded up wi'h a smiling hippy family par'y including ur.count d numbers of r.-sy-cheeked c ildren. tb'thi more ambitious buggy and pair, or the moiny or wril-horsed coach on and in and around which the st-p to the box seat every available perching pUce was ecupied »ha passengers swarming all o/er the ve : c'es Ik a cast of bees K- erybodv was d eased in her or h s best particularly her's, and everybody seemed lo be in the very high st of sp rite, and the road all 'he way from Ashburton ti the sea was a scene of life and jollity Down fo within a mile of the beach it is a splendid level nad, passing between well* cultivated paddocks, now hedge-high with wheat and oats, nearly all looking grandly and promising, bar nor’westers, an abundant harvest. And here it may be noted that the breadth of wheat in this district will be much larger than last year, and given s fairly paying tirioe oar farmers ought to do well. About a mile from the beach the road descends into a broad riv r bed, down which in the geological ages most have fl »wed a mighty river bat which i< now threaded by what is only at ordinary times (that is s tve at s*-as ins of flood) an i significant creek widening out into a small tidal lagooo, where are to be found silve ies and other small fish, an i sometimes very fair Sounders Turning towards the sea the road becomes very indifferent, consisting of a mere rutted tractc among tussocks, with depressions in the ground very risky for springs, and seeing the numbers of people who, at holiday times especially, frequent it, there is some reason to complain of the Wakanni Road Board as behind the age altogether in not studying the public convenience a little. They would earn general thanks if they would clear away a track and level it—they need not metal- i-, though, as it is only in summer time that the road is much used, and shingle is not pleasant to travel upon. Arrived on the beach, the terrace above ttie sea was like an encampment picnic parries by the score having disposed themselves at chosen spots, and gipsy fires being set acuing with the aid >f 'he drift-wood to boil the kettles for ch» c 'veied cap of tea, while here, there, and everywhere were al freset spreads of a m >»t appetising sort—fowls, hams, salads, cake, and lots of other good things, not forgetting Christmas puddings, being all to the fore. These discussed, there whs dancing to the strains of fiddle and coocer.tua, and merry outdoor games, an 1 for those who were apcoolly inclined, rambles in twos along the beach, and quiet courtships In convenient nooks. Then there was the pleasure of wa'lringas close as possible to the curling waves and an occasional shrieking iu i for safety as soma biggo" roller than usual came tumbling in, not infrequently soaring rather more thau the hem of the garment and giving to sweeping skirts rather a bedraggled appearance. And so passed a very happy day. and just as the sun began.to decline 'here was a great harnessing np and a g»n ral start w*s made, the road being speedily again gay with songs and laughter as the merry holiday parties made their way horn wards, all vowing that there *s r>o mo re-pleasant experience in life than a picnic on the beach at Wakanui.