Te Araroa 12 - Paihia to the Farm

 

Dawn

I got up at 5:45, started walking 7.

4km to ferry, $2.5 for the short trip to other side. First bit of walking was nice, in tropical forest, lots of up and down. Next 12km was tarred road with lots of cars and quite dangerous. Then onto dirt road to slowly climb 300m. Nice in the forest, lots of amazing trees and birds. Last 4km on tarred road again. 

Nice to reach “the farm”. I’m taking a bunk for 2 nights. I’ve been slogging the miles and need a rest. 

Te Araroa 11 - Kerikeri to Paihia

 

I got up at 5:30, layed table for breakfast. I cooked for the 4 of us in our trail family. Sausages, rasher, mushrooms, tomatoes and eggs. Toast on the side. Yum. Late start 8:05 on track. Hot day but got to camp site 2pm. Swam in the sea to cool down. Only Steffie left of my trail family. 

The forest walk was missing a forest. 

Camped right on the sea front. 

It might be me but I don’t think our moon is ever on this angle. 

Te Araroa 10 - Puketi Recreation Area Campsite to Kerikeri.

 

Another cold night. I got up at 6:00 hit the trail at 7:00. Headed back to Kerikeri. I know the track because I walked it two day earlier. But going the other way reviels new sights. It was 27km and the best bit was at the end. When you’re tires you ignore the beauty just to get to the hostel. At least I had seen the beautiful waterfall 2 days ago. 

I’m cooking a full Irish breakfast tomorrow for my trail family. 

Had a steak dinner, so good. 

Thought for the day. 

Ps 46:10 .Be still and know that I am God. 

I came to a secret waterfall today and thought of this verse. I attach a 15second video. See if you can watch it and just Be still and know that He is God. If you can you are better than most.  

Te Araroa 9 - Puketi Recreation Area Campsite towards Blackbridge Road and back.

 

Coldest night yet. Had to double layer. I got up at 6:30, hit the trail at 7:30. Left most of my pack since I’ll be staying here again tonight. Walked 12.5km and then hid in a bush. Waited for my trail family and, of course, jumped out and scared them half to death. We walked back together. We saw the biggest Kauri tree, seriously impressive. Chilled for the afternoon and other hikers I know turned up. 

Te Araroa 8 - Kerikeri to Puketi Recreation Area Campsite via Mangakaretu track

 

I got up at 6am but no one else was awake in the bunk room. Lazed around and had breakfast. The day was nice after the storm. I headed out at 8:30 to get to pharmacy for blister plasters. Got to the track at 9:30. The river walk was amazing, lots of waterfalls. Went into farmland and winded up the river. Got to the highest point and the wind was howling. Started a road walk direct into a head wind with driving rain. 10km was draining and exhausting, worst yet. Then back to farmland again and a lot of up and downs. Had to road walk for 3km to campsite. 

Met Stephy who did an extra long day today. The rest of the group are 25km behind. I intend to continue north to meet the other 3 guys, then I’ll walk back with this camp again. 

Thought for the day. 

I noticed a root today that reminded me of the old hymn; “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life”. No life is lived without storms coming our way. It’s what you do in the storm that counts. When we have a strong rock to anchor to then the storm doesn’t seem so terrible. Jesus is the rock that is sure and certain. When storms come, and they will, we can run to Jesus knowing that he loves us and cares about what we go through. He doesn’t always remove the storms but he will certainly go through it with us. 

Te Araroa 7 - lift from Mangamuka Track to Kaitaia and bus to Kerikeri

 

I got up at 5am (in the dark) and left at 6am. Walked 3km and caught a ride back into town. I wasn’t expecting a lift that quick so was far too early for the bus. Had second breakfast in a bakery. Caught the bus at 10:10 to Kerikeri. Walked to Hone Heke Lodge hostel and dumped pack. Walked into town for lunch and a quick shop. Wind picked up so headed to hostel for nap and chill. 

The storm last night was wonderful, looking from a warm bed. Thunder and lightning and RAIN !!!

Slept like a log but had to get up and take video. 

Te Araroa 6 - Road walk from Kaitaia to Mangamuka Track

 

I went to church with a lovely bunch at the Salvation Army. We sang in English and Māori. Church was a little long so I only started walking again at 12:30.

20km road walk again but mostly on side roads. It was hot in the sun but beautiful scenery and flowers. 

Arrived at Krishna Sanctuary and had a meal provided. We also had a sugarcane crushing demonstration. We then had the result, sweet but nothing removed so the flavour was wonderful. They added black salt to make it even better. The salt had a lot of sulphur (bad eggs) but this made the sugarcane even nicer. 

I’m changing plan tomorrow. I’m heading back to Kaitaia to catch the bus to Kerikeri. There’s a bad thunderstorm coming Monday night. I’m opting to be in a hostel. I’ll then walk north along the trail to meet my trail family. There going to be 1 inch of rain overnight, so the track will be awful. I’m taking advice from an experienced walker who suggested skipping the forest in thunder. (I must be getting old)

A wise man listens to wisdom, a foolish man listens to fools. I’ll know in 3 days if the new plan worked. 

First river bath. 

Sugarcane crushing. 

Thought for the day. 

This was taken mostly from the Salvation Army pastor Moses. 

Focus on God, not on our problems. 

Matthew 11:3 -John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus, are you the messiah or should we look for another. 

John was in prison and probably thinking, how did it get to this. He had years earlier declared, behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. But now in prison he has his doubts.  Doubts are not the problem, it’s where do we turn. Jesus answered, go tell John what you see and hear. Jesus continues with the filament of the scriptures. The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear and dead rise. When we doubt turn again to the bible and seek reassurance there.