Let’s go on a donut hunt! How can this be a Level 3 Geography field trip you ask?

Well, it is. Maybe not the aim of the research, but it was an integral part.

Let me explain.

A group of intrepid geographers headed off by van and cars to research the operation of fluvial processes on the Waimakariri River.

First stop was to find donuts and coffee at Coupland’s in Hornby to fuel the troops and then off to the Willows. No donuts here, but the second stop at a recreational reserve, 20+ kms south of Christchurch on the Waimakariri River to get some data. The plan was to complete a range of experiments there, but someone forgot to tell the river. Between the time Mrs Franklin had visited the site and the arrival of the donut hunters, a major rain event had occurred in the Southern Alps. The main, southern channel had moved and cut off access to the eastern side of the riverbed where we were planning to collect our first set of data. Instead of a riverbed there was a flooded channel and 2 massive diggers dumping large rocks into the channel so a car park wouldn’t wash down stream into Pegasus Bay or wash away a camping ground.

Yes, we could do a sediment study, but little else, and no one found a donut shaped rock!

Site 2, by the Waimakariri Gorge was more useful. We were able to drive down to the riverbed, with Sarah and her mother, in Mrs Franklin’s 4-wheel drive, followed by everyone else on foot. We decided not to risk the school van on the mud track because we would have looked a little silly if we had got stuck! The weather was a little cold and drizzly, but the students divided into their study groups and spent a couple of hours collecting data and getting cold and a little wet. They did however get to find donuts and enjoy them for morning tea, supplied by Mrs Franklin.

From here we travelled west to the Sheffield Pie Shop for lunch and then to Springfield where we found another donut! This time it wasn’t edible but was a good photo opportunity. Why else, other than the toilets, would you stop at Springfield.

Fully satisfied, we headed to the Kowhai Stream Bridge for our second set of data. Here at a site near the Lime works, we provided the travelling public with free entertainment. People in passing cars must have wondered what this group of students were doing wandering around on the riverbed, collecting rocks, measuring slope, dropping oranges into the river to measure stream velocity and taking photos. Much to the amusement of the teachers, a group of students had a great time waving at the passing traffic and collecting toots and waves. Interesting how simply pleasures can please such great student minds!

Apart from a few cold feet and cold bodies, a good time was had by the donut hunters and everyone went home happy. Mrs Franklin’s husband was particularly pleased with the left-over donuts that had eluded the donut hunters.