Friday The morning dawned bright and clear as we set off for the mighty metropolis of Minginui and the Whirinaki Forest Park. A four hour drive, a friendly shuttle service from Minginui to the start of the Whirinaki River walk, a tasty lunch at the base of towering Rimu and Totora and we were ready to get down to business. Our first day’s route was a good track up the main valley (southward) to the Central Whirinaki Hut. As always, it was a joy to be back in the bush amongst good friends and the chance to catch up on news while enjoying beautiful, peaceful surroundings. After a while,   some of us found the joy disappearing a tad as we struggled with ill health, the after effects of a very busy week, and our personal energy tanks being lower than we’d realized! Ian Marshall’s GPS became my friend over the weekend as he encouraged us by letting us know where we were up to in the track, and what lay around the corner. Our first night’s accommodation, the Central Whirinaki Hut, was chock-a-block with a Wellington tramping club, ourselves, and a couple of other walkers. Paul led us in devotions, talking to us about going "against the tide toward the Kingdom" courtesy of Justin and Jenny Duckworth. We enjoyed a scrumptious meal together before retiring for the night. Saturday Next morning we walked further up the valley before tuning east toward a low saddle then following the Mangamate Stream before finally climbing to the Mangamate Hut. Saturday and Sunday were, personally, very enjoyable days (discounting the encounter with far-from impressed wasps early on Saturday morning!) as we repeatedly splashed through the Mangamate Stream in search of those helpful little orange markers. The Mangamate Hut was perched on top of a saddle above the stream with the most delightful view over the valley. Less delightful were the triple-decker bunk beds! Don’t sit up in a hurry – ouch! Saturday’s devotions, on the deck of the Mangamate Hut, was led by David Titheridge where he talked about the new year and new opportunities. We gave thanks for things that had happened in 2014 and we prayed for things that God has put on our hearts for 2015. A focus of the weekend was the development of leadership skills. Paul and Ruth took us through some of the procedures for leading a tramp, including what sort of gear is available and how to book it, and ideas for affordable and tasty meals. We were encouraged to have a go at leading a tramp, starting with co-leading a Sunday afternoon walk with an experienced leader to build up our confidence. Sunday On the Sunday we followed the stream further until it flowed into the Whirinaki, then we followed the main valley back out to the carpark. Our walking time for each day was approximately 4-6 hours. Many thanks to Paul and Ruth for their organisation of our Whirinaki Wandering and their leadership during the weekend. As always, it was very much appreciated.