Tall timber
Te Kuiti 872km to Taumaranui 1032km (day 54-59) We are much more comfortable making this trail work for us, so decided to avoid a knarley and then long roadwalk section out of Te Kuiti, and got a ride directly to the start of the Timber Trail, in Pureroa Forest. Val was our driver, and she was a local, and knew every inch of the countryside … Continue reading Tall timber
Everybody hurts
“When your day is long. And the night, the night is yours alone. When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this hike. Well hang on. Don’t let yourself go, ’cause everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes.” (REM – Everybody Hurts) As camping grounds go, this was a doozy. “Camp in the beer garden of a pub” they said, and who was I to argue. And … Continue reading Everybody hurts
Mud, glorious mud
Hamilton 759km to Te Kuiti 872km (day 48-53) After a long weekend break, for a fantastic family gathering, we were refreshed and actually rearing to get back on the trail. We knew it was a meaty section through the farms and forests of the Waikato, for 6 days. It had everything! From the cycleways of Hamilton, to the mud staircases in Pirongia Forest Park. Sweltering … Continue reading Mud, glorious mud
Waikato teaser
Mercer 678km to Huntly 720km (day 41-43) After a lovely break with friends in Auckland, and before a long weekend in Wellington for a family gathering, we squeezed in two days at the beginning of the Waikato section of the trail. On paper a great idea. We started with the public transport adventure, which we have done so often in our overseas travels. Waiting for … Continue reading Waikato teaser
Orewa to Auckland
Orewa 537km to Onehunga 595km (day 32 to 39) For those following closely, yes, I just skipped from Puhoi to Orewa. The TA asks for a kayak, but it has to be outgoing tide, and nice weather for that. We had neither, so our TA included a ride to Silverdale with our wonderful hostess Pip, then a walk to Orewa, to a small bnb for … Continue reading Orewa to Auckland
Deliverance II to Auckland
“He felt no sense of loss, just like a mountain climber looking back having made it across, the steepest face. And he’s still climbing, see him try and cross the street. He tests his footing, like he was up 10,000 feet, above the clouds, half-way down Dominion Road.” (The Mutton Birds – Dominion Road) We were grateful to get a lift the last few kilometers … Continue reading Deliverance II to Auckland
Auckland region adventure starts
Mangawhai 442km to Puhoi 516km (day 28-31) We knew this would be a tough section, so we didn’t let the wonderful 21km beach walk to Pakiri go to our heads. It was stunning, and isolated, with a great holiday park at the end. Magic. It was during the next 3 days which, if we could have teleported out, we would have. We did try to … Continue reading Auckland region adventure starts
Northland Highlights
“I have climbed highest mountains. I have run through the fields. Only to be with you.” (U2 – I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.) Except I haven’t. Climbed mountains, that is. Not really. We have struggled up some precipices that barely exceed 400 meters above sea level but at some point we will have to scale Stag Saddle in the Two Thumb range … Continue reading Northland Highlights
Beaches and beers
Ocean Beach 371km to Mangawhai 442km (day 23-27) Northland keeps putting on it’s charms for us. The weather has now shot through to mid-20’s, and we are walking along or past more stunning beaches. It’s definitely a region we will come back to spend more time in. Due to my birthday, and our proximity to the champion small brewery, we made some adjustments to our … Continue reading Beaches and beers
A Fish called Kevin
“Woke up and smiled this morning. Wishes swam like fishes in my head. I rub my eyes as all the reasons chased the demons from my bed. I’m on top of the world, but it’s just for a moment.” ( The Lightening Seeds – Open goals) We watched the All Blacks semi-final with a guy named Fish. We arrived at his place in the tiny … Continue reading A Fish called Kevin
walk.laugh.wonder 