We set off toward Auckland in two cars on a day of dubious weather and with our fingers tightly crossed. On one side there was blue sky and the other was very dark and ominous clouds. So, we kept looking out one side only.

Once at the carpark in Totara Park near the Botanical Gardens, we had a quick morning tea and set off in a most beautiful and surprising native bush area in the middle of suburbia. The walk is mostly alongside a stream which was probably about as full as it gets. The ground everywhere was so waterlogged.

The park is huge, and you could easily spend a day in there taking different tracks. Once out of the bushed area, there is an area for dog walking, an equestrian area, a playground and lots of grassed areas for public use which adjoin the gardens and the bush walks. We broke into two groups and some of us walked up to the lookout on Redoubt Road which was totally amazing. We could see almost 180 degrees around us from well south of the airport to way past the sky tower. It was fantastic.

We then walked back through the bush paths to head back towards the other group who were by then heading to the café in the gardens. We were desperately trying to catch up and were trying to beat them to the café. Unfortunately, they got there about 5 minutes ahead of us, despite our high-speed effort. We sat in the sun outside the café, and about halfway through, the skies opened up and people were running from everywhere to escape the rain, as many were totally caught out without coats.

We headed back through the gardens and had a nice safe travel home after a really lovely day.

Of course, the mandatory stop for an ice cream, at the best ice cream stop – Pokeno.

Thanks to the organisers, this was a very enjoyable day for both groups.