A cool but sunny afternoon brought out 34 people to explore the little-known Takaparawha reserve between Okahu Bay and the well-known Savage Memorial at Bastion Point. Nine of the group left The Bracken soon after 1:30pm to meet up with the others on the beach at Okahu Bay. From there we walked through the Orakei Domain and across Kitemoana St into the Takaparawha reserve, noted on some maps as a regional park but is not part of the ARC regional parks. The remains of several gun emplacements built during World War 2 for a Japanese invasion that never eventuated are found in the Takaparawha reserve. These have not been preserved as well as the ones on North Head, but locals have painted some of their faces with lovely art work. Taggers had decorated other parts with “art” of the type seen beside railway lines. The children had a fun time playing in these wartime relics. It was time to move on to the Michael Savage Memorial with its well-kept gardens and monument. The area behind the monument overlooking the sea made for our afternoon tea break. From there it was a short walk down to Mission Bay and some icecreamerology.

We walked back along to Tamaki Drive to Okahu Bay at our leisure to complete a lovely, easy and interesting walk. COST: $2.