Kerikeri Top 10 - Pahia 'Pickled Parrot' (23km)

The walk to Pahia was beautiful and compared to the few days before it was a doddle. We started at the Stonestore in Kerikeri and took the path until it met the road. We had been driven along these roads during our journey to Cape Reinga just a few weeks before- what a different view it was by foot.

We came off of the road and followed triangles through another forest on mountain bike tracks. My knees and hip still sore from the forest tracks, the hills were not well received but we hiked quickly and made it to Pahia in good time where we met the hitchhikers and the injured and settled for another rest day.

We stayed at the Pickled Parott backpackers where Luke, Renee and I shared a room rather than brave the tent in the expected evening rain. I had done so well not crying so far this trip but the niggles and pains made for two days of pathetic winging and crying to myself - missing  the motherly/fatherly comforts of home for a moment as I sat on my bunk, Luke settled it with a cuddle and I took my first swig of rescue remedy- basically small drops of whiskey (thanks to David and Jacqueline!)

We had a huge burger and the following day spent the day on the beach and eating shit loads of rubbish food. We had breakfast free with our room so we made full use of the toaster and real milk rather than our powdered alternative.

We had a short walk the following morning along coastal path to Opua Wharf where we were ferried across to the start of the next track.

We  are hoping to get to Whangarei spending near to nothing as rest days have killed our budget so here's to the next five days not leaving us desperate for a bed and ten thousand pies at the end of it...