At the top of another top, we decided it was the time and place for a lunch break. Most of us leaving our packs behind, walked along a track to a tall, rocky outcrop towering above an amazing sapphire sea. Some walked to different parts of this outcrop as climbing to the top was not for the faint hearted. Some elected to return to the junction to eat. Another choice was a short climb up to another lunch spot, not wide enough for many picnickers, with yet again awesome views.
After lunch we headed on, at varying speeds, towards Peach Cove. This is not a flat area. If you have, driving north on the southern side of Whangarei, noticed the sharp, jagged Whangarei Heads and thought “Hell. They look so steep!”. They are!! After a lot of up hill and some down hill we arrived, yet again at different times, at the top of the last hill down. To Peach Cove Ocean Beach there were a zillion steps, I kid you not! Well, yes I do. It just felt like that many. By the end of the weekend we all felt that Northland either loves steps or some one knows some one. Wink, wink.
Finally at the Peach Cove DOC hut. It looked different to the last time we were there. Particularly the two bathing beauties on the deck. It turned out one was English, one Canadian who had been in Oz for some time. They had recently begun walking, no cheating, the Te Araroa walk along the length of New Zealand. I think they were allowing 6 months. Those who had been before noticed how much the vegetation had grown. Especially around the tree. Also there was really only room for 1 or 2 tents squished in. Much less room than before. Also there was mobile reception.
There were 4 choices of where to stay for the night. In the hut. Tent on deck. Tent on ground outside hut. Down by the sea at the cove. All those options were used. A lovely place to stay. The sun streaming down, native foliage around and overhead and the amazing birds. Kaka and tui made a lot of noise, particularly at dusk and dawn. Some even saw a ruru. An uneventful night. An amazing spot to stay! The usual dehy meals plus some others. As often happens there was much discussion and exchange of ideas about tramping meals.
The next morning the two tourists left early. We arose, did what we always do and were ready earlier than we expected to be. In dribs and drabs we slugged our way back up the zillion steps. Heading up hill and down dale, steep ones, we tramped off towards Urquharts Bay. Lovely weather and amazing views. The last “hill” down was very long and steep. At the bottom we lay around for a while waiting for the others. There was a cool breeze by this time so some of us opted to walk. Stacey stayed behind waiting for Neil so they could meet Lou, who would take them to the bus at Oceans Beach.
A few ended up walking all the way around the coastal walk while 3 of us went from the centre to Urquharts Bay as we had done the othr part before but not the second part of the path. We had observed some runners going for it anti clock wise. We were glad we were walking clock wise around given some of the steeper bits. Mind you, that slope was nothing on what we had already done anyway.
Eventually we all met at the bus which Stacey drove around to where we waited. Next stop, Mt. Manaia. After having parked in the car park we began the ascent. (Some decided to stay at the bus.) Once again a bit like Brown’s cows. A new track. This didn’t follow the old one. And once again a zillion steps!! Right up to the top we went. Fantastic weather. Awesome views. At the top there is now a viewing platform. I gather this is to deter people from climbing the huge, rock pinnacles. There was a sign requesting that we do not climb them. Certain persons, who shall remain nameless, did so. I couldn’t bring myself to watch some of the climbing whereby they were hanging by their teeth.
Time for the climb down. Four of us elected to go down the old track which was sign posted as dangerous. Yeah right, not! This track was perfectly ok and was more interesting than steps.
On the bus we clambered and headed home, stopping at the Info Centre for a drink and bite to eat. Once again. An uneventful trip south. At least, I think it was, having been napping a little as some of us did.
A truly awesome trip. Thank you to Alan Spencer, the organiser and the drivers, Bernard and Stacy.