Today 37 km. Total 308 km (+10). 11 hours 45 minutes (0730-1815).
I woke to the birds again and was on my way by 0730. It was a nice easy downhill for 15 minutes before joining the road.
After about 30 minutes on the road I saw someone coming out of a drive way who looked familiar. When the walking pole was raised I realised it was Patrick and the other 3 who I had called with at Pukete Forest HQ. They had also taken a rest day in Paihia but took the water taxi which is how they got ahead of me
I thought the footprints in the river were quite fresh yesterday.
I decided to walk with them for a while and their pace was perfect. It was nice to have the distraction of people to talk with for the road walk. I even remembered to ask their names and learnt the American was Patrick and the Canadian called Serena. After a while we took a break to wait for the other two to catch up and I continued on by myself.
I continued to take it easy as my calf was still really tight but my thigh seemed okay.
The road turned to gravel after Teal Bay and was nice and flat until turning a corner and seeing a road at the top of a very large Hill in the distance and I realised there was a bit of climbing ahead.
Thankfully the gradient wasn't too steep and my fitness had improved so I was able to make it up without resting and without puffing too much. At the top I passed a road works crew who looked at me really strangely as I walked past. I guess it is not really on the normal beaten track to get people walking there.
I was looking for the track start and it seemed I had gone further than I should. I was a little worried as the track notes did say the track was unsigned but eventually I came to lovely TA and Whangarei Council maker at the turnoff. The trail was beautiful to walk. It was an old 4wd track that was clear underfoot and despite what the notes said very well marked. The only trouble was my thigh was starting to hurt again.
The track followed a ridge line then started going steeply down hill. I passed the 300 km mark so built a little marker for the obligatory photo.
The trail crossed into private land and continued steeply down to some streams and then all the way back up, 170 meters of climb, however this felt less than it was. At the top we joined farm and forest tracks and then back down to sea level.
My thigh was screaming by the time I reached the bottom and it was a painful limp the rest of the way which was road for a few km then a lovely, though rough, walk around the estuary. Normally that walk would not have been an issue but with my sore thigh I was noticing every irregularity on the terrain. I then came around the final corner to see the Whananaki Footbridge.
After taking some photos I hobbled to the Whananaki Holiday Park which is right by the Bridge. Things then got better as Matthew and Tracey welcomed me warmly. Mathew explained that as I tramper I got free wifi, hot shower and discounted camping rate. He then offered me to use the Naki'd Inn, a former DOC office he was converting to a hut for the TA walkers. As it wasn't finished he gave it to me for a great rate. It is cosy with bunk beds, a shelf, hooks and power which is everything a hiker needs. As the store had shut by the time I arrived he offered to cook me a burger or Pizza for a good price. Also they had a fruit bowl for the walkers to help themselves.
After a shower I selected my pizza ingredients and it was cooked in the Pizza oven. It was fantastic. I then talked with Mathew, Tracey and some tourists and later with Alan and Lauren, an Irish couple doing TA for Irish Heart Foundation. I have been reading their blog and it is entertaining (Trek3000.wordpress.com).
I ended up having a late night as the conversation was good.
I woke to the birds again and was on my way by 0730. It was a nice easy downhill for 15 minutes before joining the road.
Spiderweb glistening in the sun
Cute piglets
After about 30 minutes on the road I saw someone coming out of a drive way who looked familiar. When the walking pole was raised I realised it was Patrick and the other 3 who I had called with at Pukete Forest HQ. They had also taken a rest day in Paihia but took the water taxi which is how they got ahead of me
I thought the footprints in the river were quite fresh yesterday.
I decided to walk with them for a while and their pace was perfect. It was nice to have the distraction of people to talk with for the road walk. I even remembered to ask their names and learnt the American was Patrick and the Canadian called Serena. After a while we took a break to wait for the other two to catch up and I continued on by myself.
Company
Patrick and Serena
The road turned to gravel after Teal Bay and was nice and flat until turning a corner and seeing a road at the top of a very large Hill in the distance and I realised there was a bit of climbing ahead.
Lovely scenery
Pretty beaches
The Hill Top climb. You can make out the road below the trees on the highest part of the skyline
Thankfully the gradient wasn't too steep and my fitness had improved so I was able to make it up without resting and without puffing too much. At the top I passed a road works crew who looked at me really strangely as I walked past. I guess it is not really on the normal beaten track to get people walking there.
I was looking for the track start and it seemed I had gone further than I should. I was a little worried as the track notes did say the track was unsigned but eventually I came to lovely TA and Whangarei Council maker at the turnoff. The trail was beautiful to walk. It was an old 4wd track that was clear underfoot and despite what the notes said very well marked. The only trouble was my thigh was starting to hurt again.
Lovely track
Bits of colour
Not overly happy because of sore leg
Easy trail
The track followed a ridge line then started going steeply down hill. I passed the 300 km mark so built a little marker for the obligatory photo.
300 km
Annoying Insects trying to fly into my mouth. Hard to keep mouth shut when climbing steep hill
The trail crossed into private land and continued steeply down to some streams and then all the way back up, 170 meters of climb, however this felt less than it was. At the top we joined farm and forest tracks and then back down to sea level.
Pretty high up
They really don't want cars coming through. Keep in mind this was miles from any road
Endangered Brown Teal
My thigh was screaming by the time I reached the bottom and it was a painful limp the rest of the way which was road for a few km then a lovely, though rough, walk around the estuary. Normally that walk would not have been an issue but with my sore thigh I was noticing every irregularity on the terrain. I then came around the final corner to see the Whananaki Footbridge.
Mangroves
Whananaki Footbridge
Matthew in front of the Naki'd Inn
After a shower I selected my pizza ingredients and it was cooked in the Pizza oven. It was fantastic. I then talked with Mathew, Tracey and some tourists and later with Alan and Lauren, an Irish couple doing TA for Irish Heart Foundation. I have been reading their blog and it is entertaining (Trek3000.wordpress.com).
I ended up having a late night as the conversation was good.
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