Vicar Mark and wife Pip report on their second week of Study Leave - the iconic walk around (part of) Lake Waikaremoana.

Following the Tongariro Northern Circuit trip, we stayed overnight in Taupo. From there we drove to Lake Waikaremoana for our second tramp - through Te Urewera Forest on Highway 38 passing through the forestry towns of Murupara and Ruatahuna. It's a long drive on mainly gravel roads and you have to watch for horses and cows!

However the next day we were off again tramping up to and along the Panekiri Bluff on the south side of the lake. The track rose 500m with spectacular views across the lake.

Waikaremoana is 54 square kilometers in area with a shore length of 102km. To put it in context Lake Tekapo is about 84 square kilometers in area but only has a shore length of about 75km. It's in the heart of Tuhoe country.

The day ended at the Panekiri Hut at an elevation of 1,100m. We were joined by a group of four families with their children - 17 in all. Other family groups arrived as the afternoon wore on. We were the only 'older couple' in the hut that night. Given the number of young people staying in the hut, it was remarkable that at about 8.30pm everyone (except us) was in bed and quiet.

We had an early start the next morning leaving the hut at about 8am. Sun filtered through the canopy of bush as we made our way down hill to the Waiopaoa Hut on the western shores of the Lake. It was so warm I had a swim - however I foolishly chose a muddy stretch of shore line which made my exit from the lake less than dignified!

The next day we arrived at the Marauiti Hut crossing through undulating forest of kamahi and beech. The side trip to the Korokoro Falls was amazing. It was not that high but the falls were like a symmetrical veil falling on large limestone plates at the bottom - stunning!

The family group of 17 continued to impress - the young people walked well carrying significant packs. When we arrived at the hut they would either swim or play cards or kick a ball - there was never any conflict.

The final day we walked out, caught the water taxi and arrived back at the car. But it wasn't yet over! We drove back through the forest (did I mention it was a long drive?) and arrived at our Air B 'n B in Rotorua. Rotorua was part of our old 'stomping ground' when we lived in Kawerau just after we were married.

Given that it was Sunday we attended St Luke's in central Rotorua. On the way in we noticed that the bell ringer was having trouble accessing the rope so I stopped to help - nice to think I was contributing to worship through the ringing of the bell! At the end of the service the Vicar led a short outdoor ANZAC remembrance and played a very creditable rendition of the Last Post and Reveille on his trumpet!

Following a tour at Whakarewa Villiage we were treated to corn on the cob cooked in hot geothermal water. The sights, sounds and smells were very nostalgic!

The next day we drove to Auckland and settled in to our accommodation at St John's College - but more of that next week!

Blessings and trust you're doing well,

Canon Mark.