Reports of the estuary crossing from Stillwater said at low tide it could be neck deep, also low tide was at 4:30 am or 5 pm. Also the high tide bypass track was closed because of kauri dieback disease. So we walked the trail along the estuary up to the closed trail begins, then aimed for a road on the map, which ended up being a private neighborhood under construction, which led us to get frustrated and get an Uber (which has not been an option until now) to Browns Bay, so we could wrap up this side to Auckland (although technically cutting out Long Beach).
The beach hikes were ok, mostly suburbs and crowded beach walks. Most people seemed to know we were hiking the trail and either offered encouragement or had questions, which was fun.
At the end Audrey and Katya and I went our own ways, Audrey needing to leave the country and come back for visa reasons and Katja wants to pick off a section of trail I want to skip, and I had to wait around Auckland until Monday to get my bounce box. I’m sure I’ll see them again, but I’m sad to lose our little group.
I’m also thinking of hanging in Raglan for a bit and surfing, but sadly the forecast isn’t looking good, so maybe I’ll just keep going on the trail further down.
When I was in Ahipara we met a couple, Dave and Alison, who gave us some delicious fish while we were drooling and waiting for our pizza to cook. Dave told me to give him a ring when I was in his area, so I did. They invited me to stay at their place and made me a Kiwi style smoked salmon dinner, which was absolutely delicious!
Later we drove into Auckland and Dave showed me the Lighthouse (which is a house of light), artwork which was designed by his brother.
The lights are constellations, I could only pick one or two out.