The journey of a thousand miles began with a single step.
For the Third Age Adventures group, that single step was the selection of Jan Kirkpatrick as their bus driver and leader more than two decades ago.
The group — created by Aoraki Polytech (now Ara) — was founded in 2000 and ran for a decade.
It had come from a government scheme, created for people over 55 years of age and aimed at making the outdoors more accessible.
While the scheme was offered across the country, Timaru’s Third Agers had been its success story.
The group gathered this week at the Shearer’s Quarters to reminisce about their adventures.
Member Win Parkes said the group had gathered while their leader and bus driver Kirkpatrick was in town to celebrate her birthday.
More than 80 people had been invited and only a few had not been able to make it; some because they were out of the country and one person had caught a bug, Mrs Parkes said.
She felt that kind of turnout spoke to the health of them all.
Mrs Parkes credited the group for the fact they were able to attend, despite some ‘‘knocking on 80’’. ‘‘They’re fit and well.’’ Gavin Spence had been instrumental in forming the group through his work at Aoraki Polytechnic. He said he was ‘‘thrilled about stories of fitness and health’’, but the one thing he had not expected was stories of friendship. Firm friendships had formed in the group and romances had blossomed, including one marriage. Mrs Parkes said people retired at 65 and did not realise how insular they had become. ‘‘And suddenly they had no outside interests . . . This took you really outside.’’ The group carried packs and slept in huts, she said. ‘‘We did all the major walks.’’ Member Helen Wooding said they had seen their fair share of long drops on their travels. ‘‘Once you’ve stood beside someone and brushed your teeth then spat in the same bucket, you are friends for life,’’ Mrs Parkes said.
