D44- Coppermine stream to Manawatu Gourge reserve

From the creek, signed tracks lead to coppermine road (30min), or Wharite(3hrs), although coppermine road would provide the most direct route to Woodville, i considered Wharite to be an essential waypoint, being the southern most peak in the Ruahine. As per normal, my last track in the Ruahine starts with a steep climb from the riverbed. It levels off before climbing again to whats left of the main devide, now a single, leatherwood ridge. The track then follows the ridge for its final km to Wharite(920m). The Wharite tower is huge, tho in the thick fog i cant see the top, its pylon shaped and rigged with communication equipment. Two concrete buildings and a car park sit beside. On my last visit there were extensive veiws out to the Tararua's, Manawatu and towards Wellington, however all i see is white. It needless to say it's also pretty windy.
Wharite marks the end of my Ruahine traverse, from here the Manawatu cuts right through the main devide, creating a band of towns and farmland, the result, a lot of road walking. Its about 13km to Woodville, but its all downhill and goes quickly. Wharite road descends through scrub to the park boundry where it continues through farmland, once below the clouds, theres resonable veiws across to the windmills. Once onto the flats, it becomes sealed with paddock after paddock of dairy farms on either side, even the mailboxes are made to look like cows. The roads around Woodville are in grid formation, and by turning left down Oxford then right down Mclain, i avoid an unnecessary walk on the state highway. The roads become wider and busier, the verges mown, and the drivers stop waving back.
For some reason, i assumed there was a New World here, but theres only a four square tho at the price i was almost considering the 2 day walk to Palmy. Fortunately they're open on a Sunday avo. After restocking provisions, and a quick bite to eat, it's time to get the hell out of town.
From Woodville there's no choice but to walk the SH3 (Napier to Plalmerston), there's a motocross event on and its busy, the least pleasent road bash yet. On a narrow section it becomes too dangerous to walk beside the road so i follow the railway instead. I turn left down Gourge road and cross the bridge over the Manawatu. The rivers bigger than i was expecting, comparable to the Motu/Mohaka, and im greatfull for the bridge.
The Manawatu Gourge seinic reserve sits beside the river, an area of original, uncleared tawa forest. There's a network of high standard walking tracks, the longest of which runs the lenth of the gourge. It would be nice to include it in this trip but unfortunately it runs perpendicular to my direction of travel.
I pick an a mown grassy area beside the road to camp. There's a playground, picknick tables and toilets, but a water tank and barbecue seal the deal. Its got a 'no camping', vibe to it but no sighn to stop me. The roads quiet and no one seems to stop. Ive got time for a swim but its just too cold and windy so instead i take one of the short walks through the Tawa.