24 people came out on a balmy spring day to enjoy two easy walks in the Te Henga (Bethells) area.
Our first walk was to circumnavigate Lake Wainamu, starting and finishing at the carpark. We climbed
up onto the sand dunes instead of following the stream route and could see the lake ahead of us.
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The run down the edge of the dune to the stream beside the lake was fun.
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From there we followed a formed track that went uphill to begin with before continuing alongside
the lake on its northern side.
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We had our break at the series of small waterfalls at the head of the lake. Carole ventured as far
as the furthest of the falls.
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From there we carried on a wide vehicle track along the south side of the lake through bush. At the
junction where the main track turns away uphill to Smythe Ridge Track we followed a rougher track leading
through pasture, scrub and bush. Linda and John recalled a time several years ago when trying this route
and Linda sank into mud up to her tummy laughing like Frank Spencer, but this time we were able to stay
clear of any swampy patches at the lake’s edge.
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We paused at the edge of the sand dunes before going back over them to our starting point.
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After a short break at the car park we set out on the first part of the Te Henga Walkway, stopping
for lunch at the lookout over Bethells Beach.
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We continued on towards O’Neills Bay stopping for devotions just beyond the track down to the bay.
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Laurie told us how on all Search And Rescue exercises three lights have to be carried by the group
- a headlamp being a navigational light to show the way; a spotlight to be used for searching and providing
light where needed, and a torch to give to the lost party to provide security and comfort. Jesus says
that I am the Light of the world (John 8:12) and He gives us the light we need, but we need to follow
Him, such as in reading the Bible and talking to Him in prayer.
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We dropped down to the beach and had a look inside a large cave in the cliff, to the strains
of How Great Thou Art from our honorary mouth organist.
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From there we continued along the coast back to Bethells Beach.
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At tramp’s end at the car park we enjoyed a welcome afternoon tea served from the Ute Cafe before
heading home.
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