An absolutely stunning morning, not a breath of wind, nor cloud in the sky!  Didn't Helen do well with her weather request, especially for July!  We head on our way to Mahurangi West.  Glorious views across the harbour greet us as we reach the heights of Mahurangi West Road and absolutely magnificent views across to Mahurangi East as we decent into Sullivan's Bay.   Thankfully parts of the road are still gravel, so will keep the masses away so it retains its beauty.

We start our trek up the steepish track to Tungutu Point, on mass, as one big group.   Really great chatting to others that are usually in different groups.  An amazing view from the top, and also baby and mother lambs spread around the paddock happily grazing in the sunshine.  Past the big Pohutukawa tree towards the road, and along the road for 1km (Helen, Bumper would be proud of you squeezing a street bash into the tramp), to hook into the Mita Bay Loop Track, and then onto the track proper, and descending steadily into Mita Bay.  Along the beach, then sharply back up to Tungutu Point.  Wending our way carefully back down the muddy track to Sullivan's Bay, along the beach then up onto the Cudlip Point Loop Track with more heavily pregnant ewes and mother and baby lambs sheltering.  A quick visit to the point, back to the track, then we head down more slippery slopes, across the estuary and stopped for an interesting lunch at Te Muri Beach, checking out the Historic Urupa (cemetery) and watching two bright yellow bellied Dotterels foraging until the 2 motorised paraglider kites buzzed past.

No rest for the wicked, and along Te Muri Beach past the most enormous Pohutukawa, then into the mud!  Here we were thinking that as we're away from the Waitak's, so no mud today!  Oh, how wrong we were!  Rain, and cattle churning the paddocks up a treat, requiring our best balancing skills bouncing between the grass mounds for fear of sinking into the stagnant, ordoriferous slush.  Finally we reach the fence and jump over to head down to the mud flats.  The mud flat providing us with much hilarity, sinking up nearly to the top of our gaiters.  A squawk from Gail as her shoe was sucked into the sludge, lifting her foot out to reveal one extremely muddy sock!! 

Mud flats passed, we reach the old cottage, at this point the group splits up to 3, some tackling the muddy paddock again and the bulk of us taking advantage of the very low tide opting to walk back around to the bus.  Taking in the fascinating geology of the area, with almost amphitheatre-contoured cliff faces and trying to dodge the frequent scattering of brown starfish and watching all the sea birds. 

Once we round the corner beside Pudding Island, the clouds were looking moodily heavy, and the sea incredibly flat, dark green, almost ominous.  We had plenty of time, so decide to go for a wander around the island and found a rock pool with a colony of fascinating fluorescent orange star fish.

Another gorgeous day out in the boots.  Thank you to Helen for organising the day, especially the early arrival back to Takapuna!  Quite a novel treat!

Brian was our driver for the day – although the trip was a free one he wanted to charge  us all double for driving! The response was predictable….. and fortunately Brian didn’t lock us in the bus and leave us for the day as he had threatened! The good humour and fun continued for the day…..

The weather was perfect for a day in Paradise – otherwise known as Tawharanui. Walks of various lengths took place-  lots of  tuis greeted us and it was very special to see a kaka – singing (rather raucously!) 

Thanks Gill for  doing a wonderful job of organising us – and even decorating the bus! To Neil and John for the bbq and Brian for driving us .
A perfect way to end the tramping year! - Trish

The club special table, designed by former members with colour coded legs, had an outing – and was most useful!