Day 23

I was up early and walked to Couldrey house. I then took the perimeter walk way round Wenderholm. It started as a lovely track and then became very muddy and slippery. The bush and Nikau palms were lovely but it took me longer than I hoped. I then walked the Waiwera bridge and down the road to the beach. Fortunately it was just on an hour after low tide and I was able to walk round the rocks to Hatfield beach. I had a break at the boat ramp then did the walk way to Orewa. Good to be off the main road. Even though it is no longer SH 1 it is still pretty busy. I walked the pavement to the town center and found a cafe. I met Susan under a Pohutukawa tree by the Orewa bridge south. It was great to catch up and to meet her partner Clive and her friend Loraine who lives in Cambridge. I enjoyed a soak in a bath and then planned the next few days which are Auckland. This country girl feels like a fish out of water in the big city. Keep posted for what the next few days bring but a bus south is on the cards. I hope the Menzies prize giving goes well tonight. I spoke with Chris and had a message from Jo. Very proud of Alexis and Bree

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