We were promised an urban waterfall but there was no waterfall where we met at Phyllis St Reserve.  We waited, stamping our feet to keep warm in the brisk breeze, for those WOPpers who got a bit lost in the street wilderness getting there. It looked like rain. 

We headed out along another of Auckland’s growing number of well-made paths linking patches of regenerating bush. This one along Oakley Creek leads out to the Upper Harbour, through part of the grounds of Unitec which includes the old buildings of the grand but formidable, former Oakley Mental Hospital.  The pleasant grounds were once part of the farm tended by the patients and are now tended by Unitec and the Auckland Council. There were patches of very light rain and no waterfall. 

Before morning tea, we had to negotiate the underworld beneath the mighty North-western Motorway interchange which involved our descending into one of those terrifying mazes of roads and traffic lights, waiting patiently for lights to change then scurrying across, hoping all the waiting cars were obeying the rules. We emerged safely onto the safety of a steep path leading up through more lovely native plantings but eventually decided on returning for morning tea to some well-placed rocks right under the soaring, yet grandly beautiful, latticework of the roaring interchange above, where we were safely out of the increasing, misty rain. Still no waterfall. Was it a figment of the imagination? 

We then headed out to the coast of the Upper Harbour where we could walk along the sand, mud and easy rocks with views across to the North Shore. Still no waterfall. But the clouds and light rain were settling in, so we headed back without reaching our destination of the end of the small coastal point. We returned using another bushy path just above the coastline. By this time, it was raining steadily so we hunkered down in the only dry spot on seats along some old toilet block where the one toilet available certainly was blocked judging by the occasional strong whiffs. But we were so grateful for a dry lunch, because it poured. 

By the time we were heading back along the lovely Oakley Creek Walkway, the rain was gentler and intermittent. Then, suddenly, there was THE WATERFALL. Well worth waiting for, it poured in a wide, roaring, white torrent, when usually only a trickle. 

We finished a bit early but satisfied we had defied the elements with another good walk and work out. Thank you, Linda. 

Rosemary B.