This update has something of an eerie spiritual feel to it. I am revisiting places that began my inaugural journey three years ago.
Sealing of the northern-most road in the land has been completed at last and the drive to Cape Reinga is now a breeze.
My stopover point at the top of the island is the Department of Conservation camp at Tapotupotu Bay, a few kilometres from Cape Reinga.
At the northern end of the beach is the start of the Coastal Walkway which is a 2 hour 30 minute 4.5 km hike to the Cape.
Cape Reinga, 'Te Rerenga Wairua - The Leaping-place of Souls' is of great spiritual significance to Maori.
As a pakeha, I too am moved by the very strong spirit that shrouds the area.
This is a very special place.
Informative plaques which have been cleverly etched into sheets of steel unobtrusively provide a guide to the area.
Legend has it that departing spirits of the dead jump off on their journey to their spiritual home of Hawaiki.
The currents of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean clash here.
A little hard to believe that this visit was made in the middle of winter.
Everywhere else is a long way away.
Down the newly sealed road about 20kms and then about 10kms east on a gravel road is Te Hapua.
Te Hapua's greatest claim to fame is having the northern-most school in the country, also the northern-most Ratana church below.
Back to my favourite hibernation hangout and a chance to do a bit of exploring around the local hills.
This track is through bushy hillside and climbs to give great views of the Karikari Peninsula and beyond.
My special wintering-over place in the Far North, Maitai Bay, is the small bay directly behind me. The other beach in the left of the shot is Waikato Bay.
In the distant background is Houhora on the Aupouri Peninsula.
So ends another chapter.
Thanks for watching.
Good luck to all your families.
