The Estuarians may need to periodically shorten their walking routes, but even those who can now amble only from their mobility scooters to their table at the Coastal Café are welcome in the group.
The 50-plus walking group has four subsets of walkers, who divide themselves by age, fitness and stamina. There are 165 members in total, 59 of whom are over 80.
The oldest set of these is the Estuarians, a group of about 16 members who boast five nonagenarians in their ranks. This group is open to people who can manage a 30-minute stroll around the estuary, but also to those who now have no walking ability at all but have retained a strong desire to meet for a weekly coffee and a chat.
Some of them have been members of the group for more than 40 years, and while the other subsets might be tackling Mount Arthur or the Cobb, the Estuarians stay a little closer to home.
“We do what our bodies allow us to do,” one member summarised.
The group meets every fine Thursday at York Park at 10am, and arrives at the Coastal Café about half an hour later.
Go here for further information about the Motueka 50 Plus Walking Group.
