We are lucky to have been invited by Mrs Beverly McConnel to take our older Labradors to walk round her beautiful garden, Ayrlies, in Clifton Road Whitford. This has been arranged for Saturday 9th June at 10am – see flyer.

To qualify as a Senior the dogs must be over 9 years old and the walk is done with dogs on leads all the time. Also please remember poo bags.

The cost per dog is $10.00. We will be walking on paths but this time of year it can be wet so suitable shoes should be worn.

We have been asked to drive in the main gate and park next to a turn around area near the house.
If there is any doubt at the time due to weather etc. please phone Sally 0272294803

It would also be nice to have some idea as to how many dogs will be taking part in this walk so please phone/text Sally 0272294803 or email barsal1945@gmail.com

Below is a photo taken at a previous walk at this location.

Meet at 9.45am for a 10.00am start – this will be a beach walk.
See flyer for full details.

For anyone who hasn’t joined us for our walks before this is a happy social occasion for dogs and owners. We are happy for non-Labrador people to join us as long as their dogs are sociable and are under reasonable control. We will meet at the carpark near the Surf Lifesaving control rooms at Karioitahi beach. Dogs MUST be on a lead until we are away from the carpark area but after that they are free.

Our walks are not suitable for dogs under 10 months old as it can be too demanding on young ones and they can get pushed around by the older dogs. We usually walk for about two hours and know a nice cafe in Waiuku for a reviving coffee afterwards.
We walk whatever the weather so suitable clothing should be worn. Being on the beach shoes are optional but it pays to bring towels for yourselves and the dogs. It might pay to bring a fresh water drink for the dogs as they sometimes over do the salt water drinks. However there are fresh water streams along the beach where they can drink.

Any question – Contact Sally Felton 0272294803

Directions
South of Auckland head for Waiuku along the Glenbrook Waiuku Road. When you reach Waiuku turn right into King Street and fairly quickly turn left into Constable Road. This road becomes Karioitahi Road which you follow until you reach the beach. The last stages are down a pretty steep hill and at the bottom you swing left into the carpark area.

Click here for map of where we meet.
Below are a couple of photos taken at a previous walk at this location.

Meet at 9.45am to start walk at 10.00am

See flyer for details

We will meet whatever the weather – except, perhaps, if there are tornados or thunder and lightening happening! The forest has been logged recently so it is very bare of trees now but I don’t think the dogs are fussy about that. Wear suitable clothes and sturdy shoes to cope with any wet and mud which could be around on this walk.

This walk is suitable for everyone and all dogs of reasonable fitness although it is too much for dogs which are under 10 months.  We park near the main road so dogs MUST be on leads to start with and there are occasions in the forest where they have to be on leads for a short while.  So you need to be able to control your dog.  But apart from this serious stuff, there are some wonderful dog swimming places, so bring towels for afterwards.

Families are welcome and even non-Labradors can join the group as long as they are social and under control.  We walk for about two hours and the cafe in Whitford is usually stopped at on the way home for a reviving cup of coffee.

Directions Click here for a view of the entrance
Drive to Whitford and take the Whitford/Maraetai road. Follow this road for 5/10 minutes. You will drive up a hill which has a passing lane on it. As you get to the top prepare to turn to the right. You will see the sign for the entrance to the Whitford Forest on the right and an entrance set back off the road. Park there but leave room for other cars to get into the forest. We will gather there and continue on foot.

Keep your dogs on leads until we go into the forest.
If you get lost or have any queries ring Sally 0272294803

UPDATE – this was a great day for a walk – see photos

Meet at 10.00am and start the walk at 10.15am

see flyer here

On Sunday 18^th February we have permission to meet and walk the dogs in the Maramarua Forest and there is a track which is not too steep, has some water holes (for the dog’s enjoyment) and will give us as long as we like to walk with forest on one side and farmland on the other side.

It will be a there and back the same way walk unless anyone is very keen as the circular routes take several hours to walk and are easier on a horse!

As usual these walks are not suitable for dogs under 10 months as they can get over done by the bigger dogs and the excitement of the occasion. Also we will be parking outside the forest gate so all dogs must be on leads until they get into the forest.

The tracks are firm and good walking shoes or sneakers will be fine. Of course other clothes depend on what the weather is like, but the walk will be on rain, hail, or snow!! However the only real worry is if there are very high winds blowing at the time, as forest trees can lose their branches in those conditions and that can be dangerous. If there is a doubt phone the contact numbers below.

Directions
Drive to Maramarua along State Highway 2 (stick to the speed limits – the traffic cops are everywhere along that road)! Turn right into Ferndale Road – on one corner is the Pukeko’s Nest Cafe and on the other corner is the Maramarua Vet Clinic.

Follow Ferndale Road for 3.5kms until you see the start of the forestry on your left. Where the trees start there is our gate set back off the road. Park there.

Click here to see what the parking place looks like

We will meet at 10.00am and start the walk at 10.15am
The Pukeko’s Nest Cafe is also a good refreshment place for after the walk!

Contact
Sally Felton 0272294803

See here for some photos taken at a previous walk at this spot

[Show as slideshow]

Sunset Beach at Port Waikato Sun 1st Oct

Meet at 9.45am for a 10.00am start as it will be low tide then and better for the walk. The sands are black there, so kinder to the dog’s feet (and ours) before the sun gets too hot.

See flyer for full details.

Off to the beach again. It is Sunset Beach at Port Waikato and there is miles of beach
for the dogs to explore. For those who would like it is certainly good swimming and
popular with surfers.

It seems a long drive out but is only 30 minutes from Pokeno. Full directions below.
These walks are suitable for any healthy dog and owner of reasonable fitness but the
dogs must be over 10 months old and be under fairly good control.
Walking will be mostly on the beach so shoes can be worn or not as wished but
everyone will need towels for afterwards as the dogs will take full advantage of the
sea. It is also advisable to take some water for your dogs.
We love to see all the family on these walks and they are not exclusive to Labradors.

After the walk there is a delightful cafe which is dog friendly and allows them, with
owners, in the outside seating area and provides drinking bowls for them. This is very
close to the parking area.

If you have any queries please ring Sally Felton 0272294803

Directions
Southern motorway to Pokeno.
At Pokeno take Pokeno Rd to Tuakau – this becomes Whangarata Rd.
Drive straight to the end – don’t go into Tuakau, and turn left to Port Waikato.
Go over a bridge and turn right where there is a sign to Waikato Holiday Camp.
Carry along this road until you see a sign which says Sunset Beach along with other
signs on the same post.
You will end up at a big parking area right by the sea we will meet there.

Click here to see where we meet.

Meet at 10.00am and start the walk at 10.15am

see flyer here

On Sunday 6^th August we have permission to meet and walk the dogs in the Maramarua Forest and there is a track which is not too steep, has some water holes (for the dog’s enjoyment) and will give us as long as we like to walk with forest on one side and farmland on the other side.

It will be a there and back the same way walk unless anyone is very keen as the circular routes take several hours to walk and are easier on a horse!

As usual these walks are not suitable for dogs under 10 months as they can get over done by the bigger dogs and the excitement of the occasion. Also we will be parking outside the forest gate so all dogs must be on leads until they get into the forest.

The tracks are firm and good walking shoes or sneakers will be fine. Of course other clothes depend on what the weather is like, but the walk will be on rain, hail, or snow!! However the only real worry is if there are very high winds blowing at the time, as forest trees can lose their branches in those conditions and that can be dangerous. If there is a doubt phone the contact numbers below.

Directions
Drive to Maramarua along State Highway 2 (stick to the speed limits – the traffic cops are everywhere along that road)! Turn right into Ferndale Road – on one corner is the Pukeko’s Nest Cafe and on the other corner is the Maramarua Vet Clinic.

Follow Ferndale Road for 3.5kms until you see the start of the forestry on your left. Where the trees start there is our gate set back off the road. Park there.

Click here to see what the parking place looks like

We will meet at 10.00am and start the walk at 10.15am
The Pukeko’s Nest Cafe is also a good refreshment place for after the walk!

Contact
Sally Felton 0272294803

See here for some photos taken at a previous walk at this spot

[Show as slideshow]

Meet at 9.45am to start walk at 10.00am

See flyer for details

We will be meeting at the Whitford Forest behind Maraetai for our next walk. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us but it pays to be prepared. Do bring drinks with you
plus any food you may need. Clothes suitable for the weather and comfortable shoes.
The tracks are firm but there are water holes which the dogs will make full use of so
it would be sensible to bring dog towels.

Dogs should be reasonably fit and under control. These walks are not suitable for
dogs under 10 months of age and with the hot weather it can be quite hard for the
older dogs. It is not restricted to members so family and friends are very welcome.
We walk for about two hours or until everyone has gone far enough so it can be quite
tough for small children.

After the walk the usual calling place for a coffee is Whitford which has a very dog friendly cafe

Directions Click here for map of Rewa Road
Drive through Whitford and follow the Whitford/Maraetai Road. This becomes Maraetai Drive and takes you down to the Maraetai beach and a round-about. At this round-about you turn right into Rewa Road which is twisty and takes you back to the forest. At the end of Rewa Road is where we meet. There are houses around so please park carefully and do not block anyone’s drive.

Keep your dogs on leads until we go into the forest.

If you get lost or have any queries ring Sally 0272294803

Meet at 9.45am for a 10.00am start – this will be a beach walk.
See flyer for full details.

For anyone who hasn’t joined us for our walks before this is a happy social occasion for dogs and owners. We are happy for non-Labrador people to join us as long as their dogs are sociable and are under reasonable control. We will meet at the carpark near the Surf Lifesaving control rooms at Karioitahi beach. Dogs MUST be on a lead until we are away from the carpark area but after that they are free.

Our walks are not suitable for dogs under 10 months old as it can be too demanding on young ones and they can get pushed around by the older dogs. We usually walk for about two hours and know a nice cafe in Waiuku for a reviving coffee afterwards.
We walk whatever the weather so suitable clothing should be worn. Being on the beach shoes are optional but it pays to bring towels for yourselves and the dogs. It might pay to bring a fresh water drink for the dogs as they sometimes over do the salt water drinks. However there are fresh water streams along the beach where they can drink.

Any question – Contact Sally Felton 0272294803 or sbfelton@clear.net.nz

Directions
South of Auckland head for Waiuku along the Glenbrook Waiuku Road. When you reach Waiuku turn right into King Street and fairly quickly turn left into Constable Road. This road becomes Karioitahi Road which you follow until you reach the beach. The last stages are down a pretty steep hill and at the bottom you swing left into the carpark area.

Click here for map of where we meet.
Below are a couple of photos taken at a previous walk at this location.

Meet at 9.45am to start walk at 10.00am

See flyer for details

We will be meeting at the Whitford Forest behind Maraetai for our next walk. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us but it pays to be prepared. Do bring drinks with you
plus any food you may need. Clothes suitable for the weather and comfortable shoes.
The tracks are firm but there are water holes which the dogs will make full use of so
it would be sensible to bring dog towels.

Dogs should be reasonably fit and under control. These walks are not suitable for
dogs under 10 months of age and with the hot weather it can be quite hard for the
older dogs. It is not restricted to members so family and friends are very welcome.
We walk for about two hours or until everyone has gone far enough so it can be quite
tough for small children.

After the walk the usual calling place for a coffee is Whitford which has a very dog friendly cafe

Directions Click here for map of Rewa Road
Drive through Whitford and follow the Whitford/Maraetai Road. This becomes Maraetai Drive and takes you down to the Maraetai beach and a round-about. At this round-about you turn right into Rewa Road which is twisty and takes you back to the forest. At the end of Rewa Road is where we meet. There are houses around so please park carefully and do not block anyone’s drive.

Keep your dogs on leads until we go into the forest.

If you get lost or have any queries ring Sally 0272294803

A number of members got together on Saturday 23rd July for a walk specifically and solely for our “Senior” Labradors.  The weather luckily held out for us and our veterans thoroughly enjoyed a leisurely on lead stroll.  Lots of lovely new smells for the dogs accompanied by their humans who walked at a suitable very slow pace and stopped frequently to view the surroundings.  The relaxed pace suited everyone and what we thought might be a 30 minute walk – turned into a very enjoyable 60 minute walk.