• Te Araroa Day 17
• Punaruku to Parutahi Bay – 8.5 km in 1 hour 40 minutes
• Ice cream count: 2 in 2 days, hoping to keep up this pace!

I had a great sleep last night, and could even still walk this morning without feeling too stiff! We decided that we’d leave after lunch, and relax in the morning. I had toast and 2 cups of tea for breakfast, so yummy! I think my appetite is really starting to increase.

I spent the morning catching up on my blog writing. It’s been a bit of a challenge trying to keep up, and jam everything else in as well. But this one will catch me up, yay! The very friendly cat kept me company, and sat on my knee. I tried not to miss Lilly too much…

There were a couple of choices today – go along and then off the trail a bit down to Oakura Bay, or continue on a little more to Helena Bay to stay with some friendly hosts. I’d heard Oakura Bay was stunning, but also had a dairy which was very enticing! It won me over..

First stop was the dairy for a great ice cream, and then after deciding the Whangaruru Holiday Park was our best accommodation option we continued around to little Parutahi Bay. It was more sheltered, and had a nice beach, but the weather looked ominous and it drizzled a bit later in the afternoon. Maybe it’ll be nicer tomorrow morning. It’s almost good to be in the tent again though and giving it some exercise!

Tomorrow will be quite a big day aiming for Whananaaki. In hindsight I wish I’d checked the map and trail notes a little more carefully and perhaps stayed at Helena Bay. I think the short day will have been good for my legs though. It’ll be good to get off the road tomorrow too. Will we walk through crowding cows? Will the bulls mentioned in the trail notes be there?