Tuesday 29th Dec - Rest Day today and enjoying being home. A few things to catch up on which includes going to see the new Star Wars movie....
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Monday 28th Dec - Well this is the last stretch into Wellington and could not have got a more perfect day for it. The weather was stunning and also had my sister Camille join for the full 48km which was a fantastic effort too. We met Peter (another walker) along the way a few times as well and also finished at Island Bay with him too. The walk via the inner city and out to Oriental Bay and along the Southern Walkway was just beautiful. Popped in to see Gina as we went by her house. Huw met us at the end of the walk in Island Bay at 9.30pm with bubbly and nibbles. Wonderful way to finish and so great to be home.
Sunday 27th Dec - After a great couple of rest days it was time to hit the road again and continue the walk through to Wellington. Dad dropped me off at Paekakariki where I left off prior to Christmas. A highlight was meeting up with AM and her children prior to Plimmerton and having their company for a stretch of the walk and a lunch stop. Weather was fantastic with views out to the sea and inlets. Great walk through to the start of the Colonial Knob in Porirua.
Saturday 26th Dec - Boxing Day. Hope everyone is enjoying their left overs. I'm loving the beautiful fresh meat and vege.
Friday 25th Dec - Merry Christmas everyone!!! Crack open that bubbly please.
Thursday 24th Dec - Woke up to a fantastic sunny day and while very sore from the Tararuas it felt great to know I will be seeing everyone again this afternoon. Headed off down the Waikanae River walk where Leanne joined me for a stretch so was lovely to have company and a chat through to the beach.
From there it was an easy walk down the beach through to Queen Elizabeth park and Coastal track on to Paekakariki. Also bumped into Phil along the way who was out that way for Christmas. Was a nice random catch up. Huw picked me up from Paekakariki along with Thomas, Joseph and Ashley in the car on the way to Waitarere. Was so good to see them and a great feeling that I had made it this far. Time for a few days break now to enjoy the festive season. Wednesday 23rd Dec - Slow start today as very sore after yesterday's walk. The sun was out so dried off the rest of my gear and then headed off at about 10-30. The walk up and over Pukeatua was a steady steep climb but not as tough as yesterday so got through it Ok with a bit of music on as well. Also a clear day so got views not possible yesterday. A goat was not worried about me approaching up the track and stood watching me for a while.
Final stretch was 11km of road walking to get through to Waikanae. Great to be back in civilisation again and checked into a motel for a shower then food from New World. Feel sore and tired but so thrilled that I've completed the Tararuas. Tuesday 22nd Dec - Not much sleep last night as the Hunter snored all night. Up early and out of the hut at about 7-15am to a wet day. No chance of views today. Climbing to Mt Crawford was challenging as was very windy and wet. Was exhilarating though as I've not walked at that height of 1440 metres in those conditions before. At one point I lost my footing and fell. Luckily no injuries as a soft landing on shrubs some how in between rocks. Gave Myles a bit of a fright. Was nice to make it back to the bushline and out of the wind. Then had to face a very steep and slippery 1200 metre decent was was tough going on the knees.
Stopped at Waitewaiwai hut for lunch and saw Ben and Jason again. Really needed this lunch break to refuel for the rest of the walk out to Otaki Forks. The plan was I was going to stay over at Parawai Hut and do the final stretch through the hills and Camille was to pick up Myles from Otaki Forks. Unfortunately when we got to the Carpark a slip had cut off the road in so Myles walked out up and over the slip to meet Camille a few Km's away. I got to the hut and the fire had been lit by the others there so I sat by this to dry out and recover from a huge walking day. Hardest day so far and stoked that the biggest section of the Tararuas is behind me. Monday 21st Dec - Cloudy drizzly day to start off with so not able to see much until reaching above the cloud line and then got glimpses of great views once at the 1300 metre mark. Stopped in at the cute little Dracophyllum Hut for lunch and met two young guys Ben and Jason who are on a mission to see all the huts in the Tararuas. Very inspiring guys who have just finished College and love the outdoors.
We carried on to Nichols hut after some hard up and downhill stretches. Was a joy to finally see the hut and then get to it. My sore knees welcomed a sit down and hot drink. Full hut tonight as a hunter has flown in for the week. Other hut dwellers were Peter the other Te Araroa walker plus Ben and Jason then me and Myles. Very tiring day. Sunday 20th Dec - Tararuas here I come. Had a great overnight stop at Waitarere with Camille and Myles and feel ready to hit the ranges. Myles is walking through with me on this section so is good to have company. Camille drove us back to Poads Rd to start the next three days walking, hugs all round and then we set off.
Made our way straight up the starting steep hills and got to to Waiopehu Hut for lunch. Good views over Levin and wonderful to have scored a good weather day. I've walked to this hut before in May and it felt so different being a lot fitter. We carried on through to Te Matawai hut and I really enjoyed walking the new stretch of the Tararuas that I had not been through before. Wonderful making it to the hut and relaxing for the rest of the evening. One other Te Araroa walker was there - Peter. Myles got the fire going and we dried out our gear. Great day. |