Tuesday 17th NovFirst milestone has been reached where I have walked through Northland and made it to the Auckland region over the last few days. Reflecting on Northland I think it certainly has prepared me for the long walk ahead over the rest of the country as it has presented some very challenging walking - the very long beach walking where water was a huge planning consideration, the steep and muddy forests where physical fitness is a huge factor, and then the isolation and remote sections where being comfortable with your own company helps - plus music!
Highlights of Northland for me were the jaw dropping views, catching up with family in Whangarei, and meeting the Te Araroa founder Geoff Chapple randomly along the Mangawhai Cliffs walkway. Walking into Auckland on Sunday was literally walking out of the bush back at Okura in the morning and into the bright evening lights of the city at 10pm. The ferry ride from Devenport that night was a sense of achievement and satisfaction that I had completed a whole region. For daily notes of the walking to date - check out the 'Daily Diary' tab in this blog. The next few days I will be taking some time out from walking for family time and attending a funeral and will commence walking again on Thursday from Mercer. I will loop back to complete the Auckland City to Mercer section in April after Stewart Island.
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Monday 2nd NovThe last 5 days have been very challenging. The mud of the Herekino and Raetea forests is just pure slog and slow going. Particularly in the Raetea Forest, when you think it can't get any steeper or muddier - IT DOES!!!! While very beautiful and stunning to see the ancient Kauri's along the way, getting through the forests is tough going and pleased I had boots and gaiters to walk this section as I would have lost a leg in the depths of mud if I didn't have them on I think. A joy is the Mangamuka Dairy after Raetea forest - they look after Te Araroa walkers, so worth a stop there. Kerikeri is just a picture perfect spot and can see why it is an attractive retirement spot. Happy to have made it to Waitangi. A night's sleep in a comfy bed after a hot bath last night has made me feel human again after a hard slog of walking. Hoping the feet cope with the next section to Helena Bay where I am meeting up with Dad and my Uncle and then having a rest day tomorrow. The 'Daily Diary' tab has more details on each day and I've also re-uploaded my schedule under 'The Trail Plan. |
HelloI'm Sophia Lewis and 2015 is the year I am going to commence walking the NZ Te Araroa Trail. This blog will track my progress from Cape Reinga to Bluff + Stewart Island. I start walking on the 23rd Oct and plan to finish mid April. Archives
April 2016
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