Auckland Baptist Tramping Club

A total of 18 people, including a guest from the Tahuna Torea Preservation Society, turned out on a balmy first day of daylight saving to explore the Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve at Glendowie. Bruce Anderson showed us through the reserve pointing out plants and wildlife of interest, and what is being done to preserve the environment such as pest control. Some of the group had come together for a picnic lunch at the adjoining Roberta Ave reserve, with the rest of us joining up at 2pm. It is normal to have our devotions at the afternoon tea stop on a Sunday tramp, but this time leader Harry gave his reflection about trees at the beginning before we set off. He quoted Psalm 1:1-3  and Jeremiah 17:7-8, Bible passages that compare Christian believers to trees.  He said that there are people who are like a Christmas tree that is decorated with ornaments that are removed afterwards - these people through their own strength try to be loving, joyful and kind without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But the true Christian believer is like an apple tree, which fruits naturally with real fruit from season to season - these people have the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Bruce then gave a brief introduction to the Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve . We walked along the inland track of the reserve having a look at the bush and wetland. Bruce showed us one each of several possum and rat traps that had been placed throughout the reserve. We went on to a lookout where we could see the whole of the Glendowie Sandspit reserve with the Tamaki River and Eastern Beach beyond. One of the boys made himself a wig of grass. We dropped down to the ponds on the southern side of the reserve to see the pukekos and ducks. Further along the south side of the reserve we stopped for a group photo. About half the group decided to continue out to the end of Glendowie Sandspit which at low tide is closer to Bucklands Beach than the Glendowie mainland. Two vehicular ferries returning from Waiheke Island loaded with cars and trucks passed by on their way to Half Moon Bay.

Halfway along the beach on the way back to Roberta Ave the whole group came together again, although the family with the children and Wayne had gone on to go home early. We were out by 4pm and had an icecream at the shops to finish the afternoon off. COST: $2