Amble along Kerikeri River

The bus from Kaitaia was driven by a woman who drove log trucks until contracts dried up so she got her passengers licence and drives 5 days a week. She dropped me off at Waipapa and I cursed County engineers as I picked my way along the edge of State Highway 10, no verge and heavy traffic. The stile, when I found it, expressed my feelings perfectly. 

The path meandered for miles along Kerikeri River, in kanuka.

It passes Rainbow Falls, 

and one more waterfall before ending at the Stone Store. 

I lunched on the lawn in front of Kemp House next door in the shade of this enormous staghorn fern growing on a jacaranda. 

Then I picked up the pack and headed in the general direction of Kerikeri to find Pagoda camp...