Alhough the Kamai Forest Park is not the ideal place for a June walk, the OCC Recreational Group decided on that as a destination this month; checking out the newly established Bulldozer Blade Loop Track at the of Whakamarama Road.
We then drove the short distance to Puketoki Reserve and did the long loop walk there before enjoying lunch beside the stream at the Reserve entrance
We marvelled at the abundance and variety of fungi along both tracks and were serenaded by a very vocal Tui and, finally, accompanied by a North Island Robin as we walked.
This month we headed north to Waihi and started from the Gilmour Lake carpark. Heading, initially, though Gilmour Reserve we stopped to view the memorial to the Waihi World War 1 Tunnellers involved in Arras, France.
Then we followed the Ohinemuri River for a while before circling around the base of Black Hill.
Almost back to the start we detoured along Mill Stream walkway and then back to the reserve where, since the weather was so pleasant, we enjoyed an early lunch by the lake.
In the spirit of neighbourliness the OCC hosted a dinner for the residents of the neighbouring Omokoroa Country Estate.
Sixty guests enjoyed canapes upon arrival and then a choice of mains and desserts followed by tea, coffee and more delectable delights to finish.
The April outing for the OCC recreational Group was a flat, sea-level, walk around the Waikareao Estuary in Tauranga. Towards the end of the 9km walk we rewarded ourselves with a Cafe stop on Chapel St.
Long time ago in Bethlehem, So the Holy Bible say
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, Was born on Christmas day
While shepherds watch their flock by night
They see a bright new shining star, Then hear a choir of angels sing
The music seemed to come from afar
Now Joseph and his wife Mary
Come to Bethlehem that night
They find no place to lay the child, Not a single room was in sight
By and by they find a little nook, In a stable all forlorn
And in a manger cold and dark, Mary's little boy was born
Hark now hear the angels sing, a new king born today
And man will live forevermore because of Christmas day
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen what they say
That man will live forevermore because of Christmas day
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light;
Wise Men, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!