Te Araroa (day 12) - Mangawhai to Pakiri / mile 296
"Yes, its a good day for hiking but you should really moisturise your nose, sorry I'm a nurse" Donna the nurse "She will either explode or go, one of the two" Glen Day started with a steep downhill walk to Mangawhai where I bought a sausage roll and a coffee for breakfast, the guy at the Service Station surprised my by offering me the coffee for free. After that I took some money from the cash machine as I was getting low and had a chat with Petra, immigrant from Holland who was interested in people who hiked TA and wanted to know what their plans were. Trail was going through few towns and industrial areas, until eventually it diverted to the long stretch of the beach packed full with shells of all kind! I met Donna and her mother on a walk here stopping quite often to inspect a shell or two. This section had few more tide depending river crossings but only the last one was any deep, it was recommended to cross it few hours after or befo...