The Covid 19 Alert Level was down to 3, the registrations were fully booked, the Covid Tracer QR code was printed and the first Club outing after lockdown was all ready to go (all be it an alternative walk for a cancelled activity outside the border!) Then the rain set in! A quick ring around (which probably woke some members early) resulted in a cancellation notice being issued. Or so we thought. Barbara and Hua decided it was too good an opportunity to train for their South Island Summer Walks so met at the start and after a prayer, headed off into the mist. They soon met up with Justin at Ambury Farm with all his tramping gear and the three hardy members continued their walk in the rain. The highlight was the short side trip to the bird hide where the reward was the large number different coastal birds on the mudflats. They persevered in the rain for a while longer, but without a sheltered spot for lunch turned back early and retraced their journey – all the way to a hot shower at home! They have the satisfaction of completing about 17 km of the first Club walk undertaken in three months! CONGRATULATIONS. As this route is part of the Te Araroa Trail it will be a great venue to be added to the programme in the future especially as it includes interesting local archaeology at Te hikoi ki Otuataua – Mangere (Otuataua Stonefields walk) and significant ecology at one of the important shorebird roost sites in the Manukau Harbour.