Day 9. Following signs to Pahia. 11/11/15.

20km.
Km 173.5 to 243.5.

I saw many signs on my walk today from Kerikeri to Pahia. It was by far the easiest day so far. And I am taking a zero (no kilometers) tomorrow.

I definitely need to check out this trail…..

I didn’t read the signs so I don’t know anything about this Stone Store. Except that is famously old for NZ.

I need to get up in the middle of the night some time hen I am camped in the middle of the forest. Then I might be able to see a kiwi.

There were lots of nice views out to the Bay of Islands.

This road thru the Waitangi Forest was heaven. 10K of smoothness, dryness and aloneness. No cars. The only people were 2 women on horseback near the very end.

I wasn’t too sure what to make of this sign. Forrtunately I didn’t need water.

Another awesome view….

This sign is the Te Araroa cairn built of local volcanic rock by a sculptor from Kerikeri.

Another view….

I saw this sign and walked downhill for several minutes.  Then I came to my senses.  It was perfect weather and a short day. If I can’t be bothered to walk 10 minutes out of my way I should go home.  It turned out to be a good choice.

It wasn’t like it was a steep or difficult mountain.  Mt Bledsoe tops out at a towering 105 meters. But it had a really cool monument on top with custom ceramic tile.

San Francisco is 5960 miles away…

And Bluff is only 840 miles away….

Spring flowers and the Bay of Islands

The Waitangi Treaty was signed near here in 1840….

Our hostel, Sea Beds, is just across this bay on the right.

And this sign signified the end of today’s walk….

The view from the room I am sharing with Nathan and Brett…..