| Auckland Baptist Tramping Club |
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WHANGAROA WANDERLAND Whangaroa Easter 18-21 Apr |
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Friday In the midst of weather warmings and heavy rain, 12 members of the tramping club drove north to Tauranga Bay on Good Friday. Nine of us stopped along the way for morning tea at the Botannix Café in Whangarei and for lunch at the Old Bakehouse café in Kerikeri. While in Kerikeri, we also visited the beautiful Rainbow waterfall which was swollen after so much rain. We arrived at the Tauranga Bay Holiday Park in the late afternoon and settled in. Our accommodation was very close to the gorgeous beach, which had very large surf as a result of Cyclone Tam. That evening Leila shared a Good Friday devotion entitled 'Missing Out' through the perspective of Judas Iscariot. She highlighted all the other disciples special experiences after Judas had left them to hand Jesus over. Saturday On Saturday morning we walked towards Lane Cove Hut over very slippery tracks, with two groups at different paces. The front group tramped until they encountered a deep stream crossing when they turned back. We enjoyed picnic lunches at the carpark area and just about finished when it started to rain. The other group followed, ate lunch on the track and finished in the shower of rain. That evening, we braved the bad weather and drove to Whangaroa, where we enjoyed meals at the Sport Fish Café. During the evening meal we heard torrential rain on the roof! On our return, Ted shared a devotion on Waiting, focussing on various times of waiting for the disciples after Jesus was crucified including unknowingly waiting for the resurrection, waiting for the Holy Spirit, and waiting for Christ's return. Ted also related his message to our lives today. Sunday On Sunday morning, we returned to Whangaroa Harbour and enjoyed a stroll along the waterfront - now calm and picturesque - before many of us were made very welcome at the Easter Sunday service at the St Paul's Anglican Church. Some members of the group took the opportunity instead to walk up St Paul's Rock where they had spectacular views of the Whangaroa Harbour. That afternoon, after lunch at the holiday park, many went on the Mahinepua Peninsula Walk where they enjoyed stunning views, both inland towards Mahinepua Beach and the seaward side. On Sunday evening, we enjoyed a shared barbeque meal with salad, after which Barbara brought a very meaningful Easter Resurrection Sunday devotion relating the ladies' visit to the tomb, and power of the empty cross, empty tomb and empty graveclothes. Monday Most of us departed around 8:45am to return to Auckland. Two carloads met up at Sheepworld for lunch, returning to Bracken Ave 2.30pm. |
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