Day 44 - Koroniti to Whanganui

 17 Feb

With gratitude we farewelled our off-grid spot for the night. We also acknowledged that sleeping on a slight slope never makes for the best sleep. 

Onwards past a variety of animals: beehives, wild deer, feral goats, tame horses and squashed possums.

We stopped for a cooked lunch and rested on a tarpaulin. As I went to stand up what should be close to crawling up my shorts? A wolf spider of significance (by NZ standards). Just as well it was my discovery and not Karls. He has a strong dislike of spiders and would have freaked.

On the outskirts of Whanganui (37k mark) a chap stopped in his ute. He asked where we’d come from. Karl answered with ‘Cape Reinga’. “Really. You boys like a cold beer?”. How could we refuse! Generosity keeps surprising us in many ways!

By days end we had completed a mammoth days effort of 42 kilometres. Our furthest single day distance so far.

The Boathouse eatery helped refuel us that evening. The campground located right behind it. 

Thanks off grid spot.

Beehives are prominent throughout the valley.

Horse meets fella with horsey hairstyle.

Those cliffs are higher than they appear.

Wolf spider - the size of a 2 dollar coin

Open country spaces…

Whanganui River from Aramoana lookout.

River Road completed!

Footbridge to Whanganui City.

Wild whitetail deer.

Feral goats bounding and bleating.