Twenty people decided to forego carrying a pack up Northland’s highest mountain to leave their boots behind and don lifejackets to tramp the river from Puhoi to Wenderholm using paddles instead of feet. We left The Bracken at 8am for the Puhoi River Canoe Hire place in Puhoi village, where we were briefed about the trip and had an on-land practise at paddling. It was about 10am when we entered the river in our kayaks. We were asked to paddle upstream 200m to the bridge to the Puhoi Domain to ensure that we were comfortable in our boats for the trip downstream to Wenderholm. The weather was perfect - sunny and calm - as we cruised down the river, passing a house with all the washing on the line, to soon pass under the State Highway 1 bridge. We carried on, generally following the direction of the highway southwards. Ahead of us was the construction site of the Puhoi motorway tunnel, with men dressed in orange jackets busy at their work. As the river turned to the east we would pass the site office. The river widened as we continued towards Wenderholm at a leisurely pace, enjoying the river and the sunshine. In due course we could see the hill and peninsula of Wenderholm ahead. Barbara was seen frequently to paddle backwards - she said this was to keep an eye on the ones at the very back as tail-end charlie. And all too soon it was Now Is The Hour. We pulled in at Wenderholm boat ramp to be met by staff who helped us out of our kayaks before taking the drivers back to Puhoi to collect their cars. Most of us remained for a picnic lunch beside the estuary. Jill likened the Christian life to a long canoe trip down a river. We have our calm stretches where we can relax, then we have our turbulent stretches where we need to help each other, and be helped by God.

At 2pm we left to go home with plenty of time for the Chinese lanterns and the rugby in the evening, and other things such as shopping and housework to do before these. COST: kayaks $40, travel $10