Day 0 and Day 1.

My number one supporters Chris Alexis and Bree dropped me at Invercargill airport. Talk about security. Had to take boots and putties off and have all my gear X-rayed. It's odd but the lighter I have in my Camel back had to be put in my pocket. Thankfully I had my battery pack and Garmin in take on luggage. A good flight to Auckland then a long wait for connecting flight to Keri Keri. Gordon and Frances looked after me well and made sure I was on time for my Fullers bus trip to the Cape. The bus was filled with Asians and middle east people and I don't think they understood much of the bus driver Tahi, who gave a very PC account of NZ history. It was beautiful at the Cape and I felt a bit emotional thinking of loved ones who had passed. Also I guess a bit daunted. I was dropped at the Te Paki road and walked down that to the giant sand dunes. Walked down Te Paki stream to 90 mile beach. Walked a few km down the beach and set up camp in the sand dunes. The waves were so loud all night. I had a really early night. The weather has been magnificent and so far I am feeling positive.

Popular posts from this blog

Day 6.

Image
I went for a walk in Kaitaia in the afternoon to get more food. I seam to be carrying heaps and not eating much but don't want to run out. Going to try Nutella wraps for lunches. Was joined in my dorm by Jeri and Luci two french girls who are going up to the Cape on Monday. I had KFC for tea as it was right next door to the backpackers. A quiet night reading the kindle. Had breakfast and met up with Val a dutch guy who was at Hukatere when I was there. Also Dave a kiwi and 3 others. The day started with a 6 km walk along SH 1. Saw the cute statue. Didn't enjoy the road walk. There is only a few cm from white line to edge of seal. Had to be very careful of traffic. Then walked 6 km down Ruaroa road. Overtaken by the 5 guys from back packers. The road was gravel and quiet. Day light drizzle but not wet enough for a coat. The smell of privit was strong and saw lots of plants and weeds not seen in Southland. Had to take a photo of the fresian bulls. Hope ours are better. Part way a...
Read more

Day 20

Image
I had a later start for me. Walking just after 8 pm. It was raining so I put my coat on then got really hot and sticky. I was busting for a pee and discovered Bunnings have good public toilets. I did a re supply shop at New World. I was walking in my pink Crocs which are very comfortable on the pavement. I walked about 8:km from the campground to the bridge at the start of Tomarata road. Ate a crossiant and an orange then Leon picked me up. They will take me to the old Dome Valley tea rooms tomorrow and that will save me 47 km of walking, 30 along the beach to Pakiri and then a nasty steep muddy track. I guess I will call this my rest day. I went to the Wellsford sale with Leon. Prices fairly high. The 350 kg+ cattle making between $2.8 - 3.0 per kg. Small white face steers and Angus steers about 250 kg made up to $ 4.0 per kg live weight. I thought you would be interested Tobias. Went for a walk round Leon and Brendda place to see all the planting they have done. Not many photos today...
Read more

Colac Bay to Riverton

Image
I walked down the road to the sea. A lovely morning. The tide was going out and initially the beach was fairly sandy but then it changed to small pebbles. The beach has a huge drop off. Was lovely to hear the waves and smell the sea. When the pebbles got a bit hard I was able to walk a road for a bit but until it turned inland. After a while the beach ended with a lot of rocky outcrops. There was a goog trach that undulated above the rocks then dropped down to secluded beaches. It was a beautiful walk. We then went on to farmland and I walked through a gate cut into a deer fence. It was then a bit of uphill over farmland until reaching Mores scenic reserve. This was beautiful bush and uphill to a look out over Riverton. I then walked down a road to the camp ground. They had no cabins available so I had to pitch my tent. Fortunately I carried it. I had a rest, went for a walk round Riverton and then to the pub for tea. ...
Read more