Day 42 - Raetihi to Pipiriki

 15 Feb

Our raincoats are starting to have separation anxieties. We won’t complain.

As we headed into the hills to the west of Raetihi, the cicadas were thrumming and the magpies ‘qwardleoodleardling.’

We met two walkers who had been walking from Wellington. We gained some interesting insights from them as to what was in store.

The hillsides throughout this area have exposed whitish clay cliffs. The gullies are deep and unforgiving. You wouldn’t want to miss taking a corner that’s for sure.

A startled goat or pig darted into the bushes from beside the road. Further on we could hear goats bleeding to each other in the bush.

And so… 27km later.

Pipiriki settlement is laid back. The campground is a blend of the old and new. It’s a converted school (for the main office/lounge kitchen). The school closed about 25 years ago. The lower sports field has cabins and an area set aside for tents.

The view from our tent site at Raetihi.

Take note people!

Into the hill country…

Foraging success. Blackberries are delicious.

White clay cliffs are quite striking.

Not often you see the word ‘tamariki’ used.

A deer time found on the roadside.