Auckland

Highlight: I enjoyed Te Arai Beach, the shorter beach walk that followed Pakiri beach. With the constant wind, my rain jacket had made it comfortable. With reception and phone battery

Highlight: Bush walking! What feels like a real hiking day.Feet no longer hurt from the blisters. The final 3km on gravel road, felt like it my normal walking pace.

Highlight: The ease of turning up at plan a accommodation and being welcome to the 'basic' tent site. Complete with vegetables and herbs, running water, seats and table undershelter, toilets.

Highlight:Wenderholm Regional Park. What an enjoyment. Challenge:Navigating old State Highway One. Was it going to take me unwittingly to the moterway??Checking the maps, notes, and google map

Highlight: So nice to not have to be anywhere at anytime. Rest day taken today. Timing wise, it looks like I'm tracking well. Should have some day's spare after to

Highlight: Trail magic A dog walker handed me her bracelet to help keep me safe. A local on Duck Creek Road yelled out to me. Sure. Lunch, ciabatta with walnuts

Highlight:Kennedy Bay and some rock hopping! Challenge: Today with accommodation sorted for the next two nights, meant I was some what committed to that distance time line. Sore feet,

Highlight: Dumplings and a bath! Challenge: I set off this morning, like many days this week with no comfimed accommodation.I had put feelers out to the local Trail Angels.

Highlight:Woohoo options for food on route. Coffee and trail talk! A person out walking their dog this morning. Are you doing the great walk?Yes.They crossed the road

Highlight:Hosted by lovely to trail angels. The simple things   are appreciated: clean water, toliet, power to charge phone. But the trail provides so much more: shower, bed, conversation &