7 Feb
Allan and Pauline served us a huge breakfast this morning of bacon, eggs and spaghetti on toast at the Tihoi Bar and Eatery.
The dew was heavy on the ground and a blanket of fog and low cloud kept our roadwalking cooler for the first 2 hours. As the sun fought its way through the temperature started to soar with readings of 28 degrees on Karl’s phone. Not hot by Aussie standards but it made us melt on the uphill climbs. Karl was fascinated to see the road melting and had to scrap a stick through the tar for good measure.
Karl also spotted a roadside four leaf clover. Maybe by storing it in his clear phone case it would us him luck.
As the sweat poured out of us, the 3 litres of water in our camelbaks diminished significantly. We had to acquire more water from somewhere. From the road edge we scaled down through a pine forest. Taking great care to avoid blackberry vines that seemed intent on taking over the landscape. A narrow, shallow stream appeared, with cool, clear water for us. A welcome relief. We used the life straw to filter the contents and gulped a belly full down.
Back on the road and an orange hilux pulled over and a friendly man asked if we had a place to stay. (We were aiming for a rest area about a km further on.)
Gareth invited us to stay at his air B&B just 6km off Highway 32. He understood when we explained we were walking the entirety of NZ and so said he would pick up and drop off in the morning where Highway 32 and Karangahape Rd met. How about that for an offer!
It was amazing to hear his story and meet his wife Alison. They provided a delicious dinner for us which included trout caught the previous day. Wow! Such generosity from people who didn’t know us.
Karl’s four leaf clover find had weaved its magic!
It is tough hiking in the heat especially with packs. Tar seal doesn't help. Loved the hospitality you received. Bronwyn
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