Day 15, Pataua to Ocean bay campsite.
Another nice day, not too hot with sunny intervals. As I said yesterday the tides were too high to walk the estuary but the bypass was good.
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| Good name for a farm |
I set off ahead of the other two and walked on my own all day. I had some good views of the estuary from the road until it turned away through farmland.
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| Estuary view |
The Kauri Mountain Road took me over the hill on another good gravel toad to meet with the proper trail again at the end of the forest
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| Kauri Mountain Road |
I met a girl who looked like a hiker but turned out to be working for the Department of Conservation poisoning and trapping possums although she told me that this area has now been declared possum free. Maybe I'll see a Kiwi?
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| First view of ocean beach |
The walk down Ocean Beach was a delight, at times the sun was shining and the sand was firm near the sea, I only got my feed wet occasionally.
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| Looking back up Ocean Beach |
There were some big crabs in the rocks but they were camera shy and hid every time I tried to take a picture.
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| The end of Ocean Beach |
I arrived at the nice little campsite that has been provided by the landowner for TA walkers, perfect facilities: flat grass, cooking shelter, hot shower and toilet. What more cold a hiker ask for?
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| Campsite |
Tomorrow I have to get to a ferry for 14.00 and the ridge walk ahead looked fairly tough so I decided to walk a section of it in the evening.
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| Ocean Beach from partway up the hill |
A steep climb with several bumps along the top but very nice without the heavy pack.
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| Occasional views |
I cut down to the campsite from halfway I'm along the ridge so that tomorrow I just have to retrace my steps to the halfway point and continue the lower section of the ridge.
Passed the 400km mark today
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