Day 36 in

Today was my hotest day on the trail.The night before I had caught up with a heap of TA walkers at Waitomo camp, some I hadn't seen since Puhoi or even earlier. The day began by walking farmland starting behind the old pub. The rock formations were a dominant feature. I then cut up a ridge and along some pine forest. The trail was well marked thankfully.  It was then down a steepish slope that could be a bit slippery but nothing compared to what I have already encountered. Back on to farm land, round farm tracks, across a break of chicory which dairy cows were grazing. There were a heap of electric fences to cross and so for me it was pack off and crawling. My legs are too short to step over them. It was so hot and humid and sweat was pouring out of me from early on. I was rationing my water and I almost drank 2 litres. I had put electrolytes in today and needed them. We walked through a QE 2 stand of kahikatea. Back on to more farm land and hills. Not flat like Southland. Eventually I could see The Kuiti. As soon as I came to a cafe I stopped to have several cold drinks. I have developed a taste for energy drinks, I guess I am burning enough calories for them. I changed to Crocs for the last couple of km road walking. Te Kuiti certainly is a railway and shearing town. I took a photo of the old railway cottages. I walked to the I site and the woman was very helpful booking me transport to Ongerue and a shuttle for the Timber trail. I really cannot see the point of over 60 km road and farm walking just to get there. The lady was a family friend of Megan Whitehead and her husband had been a shearer of some note. I booked into the motel and had a good rest then went to the old railway station which is now a restaurant for tea.

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