Several weeks after hatching the monthly adventures plan, it was time for the first one.

With wind forecast to pick up on Friday, I called it early - the first mission would be land-based. The nearest stretch of the Te Araroa felt like a solid start. I’d go solo on day one, with Andy joining for day two.

The day began with the usual scramble to get two boys off to school. I wrapped a few loose ends at work, threw my gear in the pack, and pointed the Rav to Orewa.

I parked at the Orewa Surf Club about 10.30 am and started hunting public transport back to Takapuna. It quickly became obvious it wouldn’t get me to the start fast enough - I was on the clock for a 5 pm low tide at the Ōkura River. Regretfully, I called an Uber. It felt odd paying to be driven 30 minutes away from my car knowing I’d spend the next 28 hours walking back to it, but the decision was made.

I hopped out near the south end of Takapuna Beach around 11.30 am and set off up the coast. The sun was out, and the beach was busy with dog walkers and retirees.

At the north end of Takapuna I continued along the coastal path and rocks. Halfway around the headland, the swell was washing across the ledges each set. Starting a 6-hour walk to hit a low-tide crossing means you begin at high tide - and you feel it. I watched the waves for a few minutes, about to bail to the road, when two young guys timed a dash around the point. That settled it. I ran the narrow platform, jumped to a ledge as a wave came through, then sprinted the next section. That became the pattern for the next hour, mostly keeping my boots dry.

Beyond the point I dropped into Thornes Beach, a tucked-away pocket with no road access - the coastal path is the only public way in. Access had been blocked for a time by a landowner dispute, now resolved. At the northern end there is a man-made rock pool that fills with the tide and becomes a calm swim at low water. One to bring the kids back to in summer.

The next headland is dominated by a Watercare pump station, the first of many that push wastewater toward Rosedale. Much of the path along the shoreline between there and Murrays Bay sits on top of the rising main, armoured in concrete. With the tide still up, the occasional wave broke over the path into the rock pools behind.

I followed the mix of concrete path and sand to the north end of Milford Beach, paused for a drink, then crossed the drawbridge over Wairau Creek. A cliffed-off section of the coast forced the first road detour. I dropped back to Castor Bay hoping to rejoin the coast, but the tide was still too high, so I took the reserve track up to the pā site on the northern headland and past the WWII gun emplacements. I rejoined the shore at Campbells Bay and followed the beach and rising main path to Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

I stopped there for a Teams meeting and a few work calls along the way. Technically I was working on my day off, but it was hard to imagine a better office.

Post-call, I hunted lunch in Mairangi Bay village. I went in wanting a classic steak-and-cheese, but this bakery was not that. About 30 pie flavours stared me down. I picked a Massaman curry - sold out. Sensing my analysis paralysis, the owner recommended the beef rendang. “That’ll be $1000,” he deadpanned, the same gag I’d heard him use twice already, followed by the “for you I do special deal” punchline. I took the pie to a beachside bench. It was excellent. I’ll find an excuse to return.

After lunch I continued along the coast to Murrays Bay, then had to take the clifftop path to Churchill Reserve before dropping back to the beach.

I pushed past Browns Bay and Waiāke to Winstones Cove. The cove turnout to be the most challenging section of the day. Lots of boulder hopping on slick rock. A few downclimbs were awkward enough that I took my pack off and passed it down after me.

From Winstones I hit the road over the headland to Long Bay. Long Bay lived up to its name. I was tiring, behind schedule, and conscious of the low-tide window for the river crossing. The breeze was picking up in my face, the rocks were greasy, and there was nothing for it but to keep moving.

Eventually I rounded the long bay headland onto the southern shore of the Ōkura River. Low tide had passed, but the water levels still looked manageable. I tied my boots around my neck, hoisted the pack on one shoulder, and set out across the 75 metre wide river crossing. The Dacre Cottage manager had “helpfully” warned me about big stingrays the day before, so I slid my feet with care. The water topped out mid-chest, then eased off until I stepped onto the Karepiro Bay sandspit. From there it was a short wander to the Dacre grounds.

I shuffled in about 6.30 pm with just enough light to pitch the tent and get dinner on. Pasta with white sauce and salami, washed down with a well-earned beer as the dusk settled, then straight to the sleeping bag.

The lush grass at Dacre was a good addition to the sleeping mat I had brought, and that combined with the 25 km hike with a pack on my back knocked me out for a solid sleep.

Morning broke fine. I had porridge, packed up, and started day two.

First job was meeting Andy. He was parking in the development behind Dacre, so I left my pack at the coast and walked the 1 km inland to the carpark. He arrived soon after and we headed back to the shore.

We had a couple of hours before high tide and chose to chance the coastal route rather than the headland track. More timing runs between wave sets took us into Stillwater. Here I made my only nav error of the trip, following a sandspit to a dead end then backtracking to follow the cliffs into town.

In Stillwater we passed a construction site with the Marchcato crew on it - Paul’s development - a gated setup with shared pool and common areas right on the water, with its own jetty. Looks like a very cool location. After a quick chat with Andrew from Marchcato we continued on our way.

From Stillwater it was a long road slog up to East Coast Road and then through to Silverdale. That stretch would be grim solo, but it was a good chance to have a catch up with Andy and made for an enjoyable couple of hours.

Lunch was a pie in Silverdale. After yesterday’s bakery it was a comedown, but it hit the spot. My wet socks were now turning into nasty blisters, but the car was within reach.

We cut through the edge of Millwater and picked up the shared path around the Ōrewa Estuary. Once on the path it was a cruisy final leg along the estuary then along Orewa beach and back to the car.

Tired but happy, first adventure done. I dropped Andy at his car and made it home in time to coach the Goblins in Friday night football.