| Auckland Baptist Tramping Club |
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WHANGAREI WALKING WEEKEND King's Birthday 29 May - 1 Jun |
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Friday Arriving late afternoon on Friday 29 May, at the Holy Ground Christian Youth Haven in Parua Bay, participants dropped off their belongings before heading to Parua Bay Pub for dinner. We were joined there by Lynn and Brian, Gary and Margaret, Carole and Brita, all now living in Whangarei. A wonderful joining together of old and new friends. Saturday The 25 of us split into 2 groups. Eleven chose the harder option of Bream Head Walkway from Urquharts Bay to Ocean Beach, about a 6 hour walk for fit trampers. Three of those chose the shorter exit option by taking the Peach Cove Track. The other 16 of us met at the Onerahi Yacht Club at 9am, to meet the Ranger Bevan who ferried us 500 metres on a barge to Matakohe Limestone Island. Once ashore Bevan explained the early Maori history of the island and ruins from cement works from the late 1800s. The island is now a wildlife and historic reserve, protecting rear native species and raising young kiwi chicks. Walking tracks led us in an interesting loop around the island and back to the barge. It was a short walk from the Yacht Club to Lynn and Brian's home where we enjoyed lunch in their courtyard. After lunch five of us climbed Mt Aubrey, a steep climb up many steps to the ridge with great views over Bream Bay The track undulates along the ridge line before dropping down the other side. There we were met by the rest of our group, joining them to walk around the mountain on the Reotahi Coastal Walkway back to the cars. Devotions given over the weekend were shared by Paul and Ruth, focusing on several Psalms which declare God's handiwork as Creator and praising Him for it. We read together Psalms 104, 8, 19, 148 33:6 each glorifying God as Creator of the universe and earth, with its oceans, wildlife and plants, while Psalm 139 marvels at God's intricate creation of human life. Sunday Our morning service began with our group reading Psalm 8 together, then spending a few minutes in silent meditation before individuals offered prayers of thanks and praise to God for his creation. We concluded by singing a worship song "Majesty." Following morning tea, the whole group drove to Whangarei Heads to walk the 3km loop around Busby Head and Smugglers Cove. We explored the gun emplacements from WW2 and walked through farmland, through bush and along the beach at Smugglers Cove, where we found a sheltered spot to eat lunch. With wide views and strong winds buffeting us, we walked back over the hill to the cars. Rain in late afternoon kept us indoors relaxing, playing games or preparing dinner. Monday After breakfast everybody worked hard to pack their gear and clean the large building. Thanks were then given to Jill for organising much of the weekend and providing wonderful meals, David for handling the administration aspects and Paul and Ruth for their meaningful Devotions. As it was forecast to rain all day, we decided to forgo a planned walk and just head home. |
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