Sunday 19 July 2026

Leader: Geoff Scrase

Ten of us assembled at the school to carpool to Mana where we met six others at the rendevous car park immediately north of New World. Solly and Jenny picked up Owen and Marian in Paekakariki and drove on from there to the rendevous point. We set out at approximately 9.45 with Joseph and Shauna's dog Chew leading the way. I thought my job had been usurped and I could just follow but I didn't fancy stopping at all the trees and grassy outcrops Chew was attracted to! Phew, I still had a job.

Shauna and Joseph's familiarity with their neck of the woods helped us to feel confident we were indeed starting on the right tracks. I had planned the route to include as many green areas of Whitby as possible and was very pleasantly surprised at the extent of open spaces and high number of mature trees. The sun was shining and after several uphill sections we began removing outer layers and found shady paths to follow to stay cool. There was no wind to speak of. Conditions were favourable for much conversation along the way.

A wrong turn left, instead of right, brought us out onto an unplanned road but Owen's reference to Google maps corrected the small detour. We were soon back on the correct route.

We arrived in Pauatahanui just after midday, bought coffees from Ground Up café, and while most of us sat in the wildlife reserve eating packed lunches, Owen and Marian lived it up by partaking of sweet treats indoors. I looked on with envy, hope I wasn't drooling... Meanwhile because their dog was not allowed in the reserve, Shauna and Joseph, accompanied by Julie and Petr, walked on to Motukaraka Point for a brew up. We joined them later at their spot on the beach then, back to our full complement of 16, continued along the path/boardwalk around the inlet, reaching the Cambourne Walkway. A right turn up to Penryn Drive and Mana View Road took us past Shauna's house where she kindly offered refreshments. By then, however, all of us were a little tired and chose to push on to our cars and home.

All of us enjoyed the fabulous weather that permitted this circuit.

Those on the trip were:

Brian Solomon, Chris Keating, Craig Watkin, Geoff Scrase, Glenda Robb, Jenny Solomon, John Glover, Joseph Powell, Julie James, Lynsay Flowers, Marian Cox, Owen Cox, Petr Kure, Shauna Powel, Sigi Scrase, Stuart Allen

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.