With kai time done and every tent peg accounted for ( so far lost one gained one) we trapsed out the long driveway and towards the road leading out of Ahipara.
A mural adorned a large fence and it told the story about how Ahipara came to have its name.
Two tribes at war. A leader rises. Leader passes on. A rāhui (ban) placed on all sea life gathering for a year, the rāhui lifted after a year and a great feast occuring. Fire (ahi), to roast (parapara) the seafood, hence - ‘Ahipara’.
This would be our first section of roadside walking. Kaitaia was 6k away. We caught up to Yumi a couple of kilometres out of town. She was getting a lift to Kaitaia. We had made the firm decision we wanted to stay genuine to the walk of NZ. Any of the 5 times someone stopped that day (bless them) we politely declined and stated our ‘why.’
In the business of pre-Christmas Kaitaia we sat at Subway for a well earned rest and feed.
Unfortunately, to restock at a supermarket we had a 2km walk through town (so 4K extra added to our walking day).
Anyhow, supplies purchased. A visit to the incredible Kaitaia library. The carved poles in the foyer of the library representing the various settlers to the area. The murals and structures within the library are something to behold!
By 7.30 we were 8k out of Kaitaia and heading towards the Raetea Forest region. By 11pm we were still walking and wondered if we’d ever reach the campsite according to the map!
After a few wide eyed moments from dogs cranking off at us and possums rustling and squawking, we heard a voice ask if we were ok. “Not fully” we admitted.
After friendly welcomings and guidance to a flat grassed lawn area, we pitched our tent etc in record time and were soon drifting off. Tiredness trumps the need for dinner.
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