Day 18

Today has been a trip down memory lane. Had a later start. Bree had organized for her Dad to bring the boat up from Auckland and take a whole lot of walkers across Whangarei harbour. The photo is Rampage and me. We were meant to pull silly faces. We were dropped by Marsden point and I  walked bare foot down the beach to Ruakaka which was the 400 km mark. At Ruakaka I went to a Bakehouse and took a photo of Bream Bay College where Chris and I taught in 86 and 87. I walked to SH1and a lovely lady Melissa gave me a ride to Waipu. I checked out the school house we used to live in then the first house Chris and I ever bought. The fence you put in is still there Chris. We paid $82,000 in 1986 for it. It had an open home this arvo and they are wanting $998,000. Waipu has become very yuppie. I also saw a yellow Pohutukawa in Ruakaka. It was a slow walk to Waipu Cove. My little toe has a nasty blister. Set up my tent at the campground. All cabins taken. There is a dairy so dinner will be takeaways. A change from dehydrated food.

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Day 6.

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Day 20

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I had a later start for me. Walking just after 8 pm. It was raining so I put my coat on then got really hot and sticky. I was busting for a pee and discovered Bunnings have good public toilets. I did a re supply shop at New World. I was walking in my pink Crocs which are very comfortable on the pavement. I walked about 8:km from the campground to the bridge at the start of Tomarata road. Ate a crossiant and an orange then Leon picked me up. They will take me to the old Dome Valley tea rooms tomorrow and that will save me 47 km of walking, 30 along the beach to Pakiri and then a nasty steep muddy track. I guess I will call this my rest day. I went to the Wellsford sale with Leon. Prices fairly high. The 350 kg+ cattle making between $2.8 - 3.0 per kg. Small white face steers and Angus steers about 250 kg made up to $ 4.0 per kg live weight. I thought you would be interested Tobias. Went for a walk round Leon and Brendda place to see all the planting they have done. Not many photos today...
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