Te Araroa 21/10/25

Day 27, Mangere to Takanini (667)

A cloudy, windy day for a change but the sun did appear occasionally.

A nice bit around Ihumatao to start with.

Today's walk round the Airport and onwards was nearly all beside major roads with a lot of traffic.

The main road going under the motorway 

I must admit that, in a different way, I quite enjoy this sort of walking. There is always something different to look at and if all else fails I can count the wheels on the passing trucks.

At least there are pedestrian crossings at the junctions 

There was a nice little interlude as I walked through the Auckland Botanical Gardens.

Botanic gardens 

Unfortunately it wasn't quite the right time of year, too early for the roses and too late for camelias and magnolias.

Not many roses in the rose garden 

There were some very colourful sections however, notably the rock garden and the African plant section.

The rock garden

Back to the main roads again, past innumerable used car lots to Takanini where I had a very nice pie before heading for my b&b.

Level crossing at Takanini

There is a place I could have camped but it is 10k further on and when I was thinking about it last night I decided not to commit myself to a 40k day although, with hindsight, it might have been ok.

Entrance arch to the Botanical gardens