Day 3 - Maunganui Bluff to Hukatere

Woke this morning feeling a heap better. Thank goodness last night wasn’t the start of a virus or gastro of some kind.

Once packed and a feed in our puku we set of once again along ninety mile beach. 

Cloud cover kept us comfortable and we got into the rhythm of the walk.

We followed a forest road after the 30k mark. In behind the sand dunes we passed horses grazing. Hukatere campsite greeted us. Lucia met us at the reception. She was on a working holiday from the Czech Republic. She was a piano tutor. 

We set up tent and met Gabby the owner of the campground. She had a German accent and wore bright pink rimmed glasses. She was kind yet frank about things. She asked if we could help lift a fridge she had bought, into the main lodge. We helped out and she allowed us a free drink from the kitchen fridge. That ginger beer tasted the best!

I played the piano on the lodge veranda. Lucia played a piece out of Game of Thrones.

I was also asked by Gabby if I play guitar. ‘Sure do’. She passed me a fender acoustic and I played a few Bryan Adams tunes.

All is good on the Trail.

Day 2 - Twilight to Maunganui Bluff

Only 20 mosquitoes shared the tent last night. They didn’t seem overly hungry though.

It wasn’t long before we were packed up and away at 9am. The morning heat beginning to rise. 

Over the headland and what lay before us was the expanse of 90 mile beach.

Steep steps led down to the northern end of 90 mile beach. Has a chat with some workers who were building a new stop over point with its own kaitiaki (guardian).

The beach was broad and beautiful. The breeze out our backs. Twenty eight kilometres later we arrived at Maunganui Bluff campsite. A cold shower and tent set up.

Sadly I started feeling quite ill and nauseous. Had the life straw not taken the bad bacteria out of the stream water drunk during the day?

I drank heaps of water and realised I had not been to the toilet at all during the day. Dehydration and heatstroke.

By 10 pm I was starting to feel better. Noodles in a cup.

Day 1 - Te Araroa Begins

A special time spent departing from the Cape Reinga lighthouse. Sandie placed a pounamu around my neck that the family had been instilling their wishes into. A fish hook shaped pounamu for determination, perseverance and links with the ocean. A moving moment for me.

Pics showing the 12 km walk to Twilight Bay campsite. Departed 6.50pm - arrived 10pm.

Hit Auckland

Karl has found the last stop for McD's not for food though... I'm sure Karl will find as many toilet stops along the way

3,2,1 Heading Off

About to depart from home for the far north.

Registration is through!

Great to have both of us registered for the TA. Not quite sure what I’ll do with the triangle sticker :) Watch this space!

River Crossing Training

 New Zealand has dangerous rivers. You need to know what to do to cross them safely.

So, a little training goes a long way.

Karl and I spent a full Saturday with Outdoor Training NZ in the Karangahake Gorge learning the basics.

Ask yourself these 4 questions...

1. Do I need to cross?  

There may be a suitable bridge not too far away (check your topographical map).

2. Is it safe to cross?

Identify hazards, such as trees downstream that might trap you and other debris.

Throw a stick into the flow of the stream. If it is moving faster than you can walk and is above your knee in depth .

3. Where can we cross?

Slow moving part of the stream, safe depth and a suitable 'out point' on the opposite side.

4. How will we cross?

Linked position between pack and each others backs. Use of a pole to make a third leg upstream. (see photos).

There is plenty more that could be written here. We are much wiser thanks to this training day.