18 people explored the Point View Reserve near Botany this afternoon. There was a mix of native bush, lots of up-stairs, lots of down-stairs, open grass, panoramic views and a water reservoir as we did an anticlockwise circuit from Gracechurch Reserve up to the Point View Trig and back to the start point. We set out at 2:20pm after the usual intros and karakia, and began with going up the Piwakawaka Track and on to the Koura Track. This went into native bush, going down a long series of steps to cross a stream at the bottom of the gully. There was a long series of steps to climb, with a few of us zigzagging across the stairs to make the climb easier.

There was open grass as we came out to Tui Track, which we followed to enter the bush at Riroriro Track. This came out to the Kereru Track, and we went up it to come out at the trig at the summit where we had panoramic views of Botany, East Tamaki and Flat Bush.

We found a sheltered spot out of the easterly wind at 3:15pm, and John wearing a green wig and T-shirt presented devotions about St Patrick whose day was celebrated three days before, Thursday 17 March. At the age of 16 St Patrick was kidnapped from England to work in Ireland as a slave. In a dream God gave directions to escape home to England where he trained to be a priest and then went back to Ireland to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was 17 March 461 that he reaped his heavenly reward for 30 years preaching. St Patrick is said to use the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity: God the Father; the Son Jesus; the Holy Spirit. As Christian believers we are in an eternal family of love with a Dad (Father God), a Brother (Jesus), and an ever-present Mother-heart of God (Holy Spirit), plus our fellow believers as siblings.

Our return was down the Kereru Track via the large concrete water supply reservoir. Up till fairly recently, the top of the reservoir was open to the public; now one can climb to the top of a small building beside the reservoir that does not give the panoramic views formerly available.

We finished our walk at 4pm, having enjoyed a good workout on stairs, a variety of bush and open grass, panoramic views, and learning the story of St Patrick. COST: travel from The Bracken $4