Day 23. Waipu - Mangawhai Head

It rained all yesterday and the for cast said to expect the same for today. I knew the rain wouldn't be too bad and decided to continue on. I can save a rest day for when I really need it.

I had 27km to walk to make it to Mangawhai. The plan was to follow the brynderwyn walkway over the Bream tail, but I was recommended by many to walk the Waipu cove coastal trail. If I walked the coastal trail I could meet up with the TA trail at langs beach. This would take  the muddy scramble and 5 hr walk across the brynderwyn walkway off my day, and substitute it with pancake rocks and a coastal view.

The day was foggy and wet. I was outfitting in all my rain gear. Though it was raining the temperature was high - due to pressure - and I found myself sweating more than usual. The coastal walk was beautiful but difficult. It was steep and muddy. My boots struggled finding a grip but my kauri moutnain walking stick did manage to help me out.

When I met up with the TA track I followed it for about an hour before running into a farmer and his dogs. I stopped for a good 45 minutes and had a really nice conversation with him. His name was Robin and he had all sorts of questions regarding my gear and how physically demanding that walk has been so far. Every day I've found someone knew to share stories with. I'm feeling less and less like a TA walker and more and more like a wandering story teller. I suppose I can be both.

The last section of the track took me along the coast and I got great views of the long beach section I have to walk ahead. I haven't decided if I'm going to try and split it Into two days since it's a bit over 30 km. I don't want to hurt myself like I did on Ninty Mile beach.