Arrgh Matey!

We set off early to make the tide at Taiharuru estuary. On our way out of Kauri Mountain and down the road there are great views of the Whangarei Heads. Well according to the Te Araroa notes there are views. This is what I saw!

It was pretty wet and miserable. We had 4km of road walking before getting to the water. Off farmland straight into thick mangrove mud. Luckily this wasn’t the whole 3km journey through the estuary. There was water, sandy soft bits, sandy hard bits and of course sharp cockles stuck in our sandals. Once out of the estuary we had a small road walk of 1.5km to Treasure Island, Pataua South camp ground. The rain started driving in very hard. Luckily for us this was our destination. Feels quite weird arriving at 9.30am to where you are going for the day. The walk along the main road was like going back in time. I don’t think I have been here for 20 years but I have so many awesome memories. We found Nita at the shower block and she looks just as I remember her, doesn’t even look older. We set up camp in the foul weather head down to the office to pay. We got some coins for the showers, and enjoyed having a real wash for once. Whore washes are not the same as a hot shower. We spend the rest of the day attempting to dry clothes (nothing like putting on wet clothes in the morning). We have hid from the storm in the rumpus room. It has been really nice having memories pop into my head I thought were forgotten. I have a video somewhere of my first Easter here attempting to eat a small hard Easter egg. I have taken the time to catch up on my posts as my phone has been dead.