Today – 31km From Clements Road to Walker’s Camp at km 365

Total – 365km

500% humidity sums up this morning.

I left Guy & Kirsts, refreshed and full of breakfast for a 12km down to Ngunguru where I had arranged to meet James who would zip me across the river on his boat to where the trail continued.

The morning was wet. Moisture clung in the air and the forest was dripping, but it made the green native bush all the more pretty to walk through.

Soooo sweaty

It was a sweaty walk. The track followed someone’s property for a while and there were lots of signs about kiwis living in the forest. Yay!

The track then followed bush for about 5km, winding it’s way up and down, and then emerged on a forestry track down to Tane Moana, an absolutely huge kauri tree, very impressive to see.

Coming down into Ngunguru I stopped to chat with a few interested people. The store there was well stocked and I grabbed a few extra snacks.

The day before, I had liased with James, who runs a camp at Nikau Bay across the estuary , about a time to get the boat ride over.

He picked me up just after 11 and even gave me an extra little run up around the estuary before dropping me off. I met the others at Nikau Camp, everyone was relaxing and enjoying a lazy morning.

James’ place is a paradise, big showers, really awesome looking cabins and a communal kitchen.

James was super friendly and we had some great chats regarding the TA.

A late start was in order because we had two water crossing today, one tidal river and one estuary.

After a hearty lunch, set off around 1pm, Sarah, myself , Jasper & Marte.

The first few km were through a new section of trail which is on Maori land, so it is awesome to see agreements between property owners and the TA trust going ahead. Instead of a 20 ish km road walk, the trail crosses about 3.5km of land then dips down to the Horahora river which must be forded. Fording the river meant wet legs and up to my waist with salt water.

Everything was nice and dry as I tend to bomb proof my pack. It had also been continuously raining for the last few hours so a mixture of sand, salt water, rain and humidity and sweat drenched us all.

Taking a break, a random cat called bubbles decided to chill with us.

We continued on the road for a section then the estuary route began. Lots of fun and the crossing was not as deep as the river so not to worry.

The mud was all over us though !

Tonight staying at a walkers camp created by Louis, a teenager. It’s an old converted caravan that has some beds pots pans, a hot shower and snacks.

An awesome spot in the middle of nowhere. Another excellent day on the TA!