This was Wenderholm Regional Park on May 12th - the club trip was in the most perfect conditions, very calm and chilly 3 degrees and steaming seas driving to our venue.

The amazing steaming seas were at Hatfields Beach, with water temperatures still relatively high at about 17 degrees and air temperature most likely around zero overnight.

We spotted some fairly rare birds in our region too, including a group of wrybills.

They are interesting little creatures as they're the only bird in the world where their beak points to the right.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrybill

Our group of 22 had a good blast around Wenderholm yesterday, taking in Vin's Track heads along Puhoi River, with some beautiful sea views and lovely native bush patches & then into the usual tracks around Wenderholm. 

Notably the back track unmaintained "tramping" track at Wenderholm, which is usually wet and soggy, was almost dry!   Dropping down to the opposite river, Waiwera River to take in more views across to where the Thermal Pools used to be.  Then loops of all the other tracks and a pity to see that Wenderholm didn't escape slips during last year's flooding, with one track that's been re-routed. 

For those that have been to Wenderholm, you'll remember how stunning the view is from the lookouts, especially the main ones at the top of the old grassy hill top airfield at approximately 156 metres and viewing point over the spit too. 

A decent amount of total altitude gain during the day due to the steep ups and downs and distance!  About 12kms total.    And a bit of clowning around hiding one of our clubbies under a pile of London Plane leaves!