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The chance to do a walk through part of Auckland’s brand new regional park, Waitawa near Kawakawa Bay,
was taken up by a record 50 people for a Sunday afternoon trip. The weather forecast was for showers
turning to rain, but this went to show that forecasts aren’t completely reliable - not a drop of rain
or breath of wind happened during the whole time!
About half the group left The Bracken at 1:30pm
and met up with the rest at Waitawa Regional Park. We set out from the second carpark at 2:40pm and walked
along a benched clay track to a lookout overlooking Waitawa Bay. Ponui Island, home to the popular Scripture
Union summer camps, could be seen in the distance.
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From there we turned around and followed the track northwards through bush and recently-cut forest
to come out to Mataitai Bay, then on to the Waitawa Wharf. This had been built for ships transporting
explosives from the ICI factory at Waitawa to places such the military and earthworks requiring blasting.
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Some of the group carried on along the ridge instead of dropping down to Matatai Bay, and were faced
with a steep scramble down to the wharf.
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We had our break for devotions at 3:45pm. John read two of his original poems. The first one Arran
was about a boy who would start chatting with total strangers whenever he went on a bus. Normally people
keep to themselves on buses, but this boy not only was outgoing but was a real whiz kid on bus routes
and knew all the streets in Auckland. The poem presented a challenge to chat and make friends with strangers,
and the promise that we will all be one big family of friends in heaven. The second poem 6 Glorious
Days was about God creating the universe in six days and resting on the seventh day. Contrary to evolutionary
theory, He made the earth first, with oceans and dry land, before making the sun, moon and stars. God
made man in His image, not only giving him creativity and the ability to work, but also the need to rest
and refrain from work and enjoy our weekends in recreation and worship of Himself.
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Afterwards we returned to Mataitai Bay before doing the short walk up the road to the carpark
coming out about 4:30pm, bringing a conclusion to a really enjoyable and interesting afternoon’s walk.
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