Kerikeri river and Kerikeri
Leaving Puketi I thought an explore down the Kerikeri river was in order as the TA followed the river at its headwaters.
This is what tempted me
Then just around the corner was my first logjam followed by
Then for quite a while
This beautiful tumbling waterfall appeared
The flow wasn't great, boulder fields were continuous and my boat was just too long. The bush alongside the river was spectacular with numerous birds and the day was clear and fine so all was well.
I found a lovely campsite about 1/2 way down.
Today - to Kerikeri
Awakening to find the river had dropped was a bit depressing but as it turned out a few side streams increased the flow shortly after. Then the logjams began
There must have been 30 to 40 of them but the boulder fields had stopped thank goodness. Not far above the town the river 'at last' became a pleasure to paddle and enjoyed the run down to Rainbow falls
This was easy to portage with a good track connecting top and bottom.
The Wharepoke falls not far downstream were a bit of a pain to portage. Then on down to the Stone store and the neighboring Plough and Feather to snack, drink and charge the phone enough to ring Ben.
Happens that Ben was just around the corner and so was whisked off to Felice and a gorgeous nest to settle in for a couple of nights.