Having farewelled the community of Teal Bay, Sue and I set off on the Helena Bay Ridge walk through the El Chaparal gate and along private land. The forest was a nice change to the beaches and forest roads I had walked this far. Through nīkau and tōtara and brushing through our forever ferns. The Ridge was steep in parts and small glimpses of the coastline and the surrounding forest came through the canopy. Sue soldiered on as I dawdelled uphill, which meant she missed a spectacular face plant up the hills as I miscalculated my footing. Howling with laughter I twisted onto my back and slide 3 metres back down hill so I could bush bash around the mudslide that had seen me kiss it! Initiation of Te Araroa complete. The path lead onto farm trails sparingly marked with Orange markers but with plenty of curious cattle in adjacent paddocks. Leading onto a quiet and partially shaded gravel road twisting down the Valley. I was given a hitch with 2km to the main road to avoid a rouge bull, who