Roger's Walkabout : Te Araroa 27/11/25

Day 64, Makahika to Paekakariki

It poured with rain last night, there was a large puddle in front of my tent to wash my feet when I got up.

The little stream that I crossed several times yesterday

The weather forecast was for rain, fog and 90 kph wind gusts on the high ridge and little change for a few days except, maybe, Saturday.

There are mountains behind the clouds

After a little thought I decided on a plan that I devised last night. Interestingly Tim had exactly the same plan.

Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Archangels

I decided to walk to Levin and then get a bus/train to Waikanae, where the trail comes off the mountain, and continue the walk along the coast. The plan then is to come back after a few days when the weather is, hopefully, better and walk the mountains.

Warning sign at Poads Road

I set off down the road with only a little rain for company and after passing Poads Road where the trail heads for the hills a car pulled up with Charlie, SJ and Di in it.

Decoration in the centre of Waikanae

The driver was Geoff the 'trail angel' that they had stayed with last night. This was his second run of the morning to take the six of them to the start of the mountain trail and he said he would pick me up on his way back to Levin.

Cycle/footpath out of Waikanae

When he picked me up I found that he had taken Tim back to his house on the first trip and said that he would drive us both to Waikanae after he had done a school run, busy man.

Footbridge over the river Waikanae

The plan now is to keep walking south and when the weather improves so that I can enjoy one of the few high open ridges on the North Island I will get a bus or train back to Waikanae, there are good transport links, and walk the mountains from there and Geoff will pick me up from Poads Road. Incredible Angel.

Tim vanishing into the distance

We went for a pie and coffee in Waikanae before walking out of the town following a good path by the river. Tim vanished into the distance and I carried on at my own pace down to the river mouth.

Wetland track at the river mouth

There is a wetland reserve at the mouth of the river with a good path though it leading to the beach.

Wetland walkway

The rain had stopped and the beach walk was great with the wind behind me and it wasn't long before I reached Paraparamu which had a café for lunch.

Beach

I spent a while in the café eating salad and drinking a smoothie trying to improve my veg intake. I packed my waterproofs in the café as it had been warm and dry but soon after leaving it started to rain a bit.

Interesting building at Paraparamu

I walked for a while but then had to get out the jacket as it got heavier. I probably should have put on the rain pants as well because a really heavy squall came through that blew me around, making me thankful that I hadn't gone up the mountain, and soaked my shorts.

A bit wild on the esplanade

There was a stream marked on the map running down to the beach and I wondered what the crossing would be like after all the heavy rain but it only covered my ankles.