3 Nov

Urquhart Bay today. Both feeling pretty tired today. Staying at my brother and sister-in-law bach here. Thanks Greg and Jackie for the use of their bach lovely rest spot on the beach front here at Urquhart Bay.               We left Paihia on 30th October and got a boat ride up the Waikare Inlet then walked on the road for a few kms then had to walk up a stream for 4km which was great fun nice and cool on my feet. I am still suffering with blisters but think they are slowly improving. We camped at a Doc site that night was cold. The next day we road walked for quite a way got a lift for 9km which was great as road walking sucks. It kills my feet. Then we continued walking for further 7 km road then 13km bush walk to Whananaki North. Big day pretty stuffed at the end. We stayed at the camp ground there. What a great place. The managers there were awesome. Had home made hamburger chips and beer for  $12 then we got apple pie and cream and bread and spreads for breakfast. We will be the only TA walkers going home fatter than when we left!  The next day we walked 24km to Ngunguru coastal road and bush another hard day. My other brother Rob picked us up at Ngunguru and took us back to his and my sister -in-law Vicki's house where we had BBQ salads pudding shower and a bed! Northland has been treating us extremely well. We have met so many amazing friendly and generous people. We have met a lot of TA walkers, all bar 1 kiwi are from overseas. NZ is such a small place. We have met with childhood neighbors, friends of friends from Waiuku, cousins of my children's friends, friends of my brothers and all these are just people who have picked us up or we have got into random conversation with.     Yesterday we either could do a 40km road walk or a kayak trip guess which we chose! LOL.  So yes kayak we did 15 to 20km from Ngunguru to taiharuru. Was a fantastic trip. Weather was perfect tail wind lunch provided. Then we beach walked Ocean Beach 9km. After that we got a ride 4km over the hill to Urquhart Bay where we are now. Today we have done the Te Whare Walk which is part of the trail from Ocean Beach to Urquhart bay climbing up to Lyon Rock. This walk is tough but one of the most spectacular walks we have ever done with 360 degree views of the coast and Whangarei harbour. We did it without our packs which was great. Was raining a lot but we managed to see the views before the rain started. Tomorrow we are hoping to get a boat ride across to Marsden Point and begin our journey down the east coast to Auckland.