Day 36 - Tihoi to Waihaha

 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!

Lake Taupo in the distance.

A dahlia flower catching the last rays of sun caught on my phone portrait setting.

Day 35 - Whakamaru to Tihoi

 6 Feb

Waitangi Day.

A slow start to the day. Fog shrouded the river area like a thick grey blanket. Our drop point was at the start of Highway 32.

It was a day of roadwalking through farmland. After 7 hours we had reached the Tihoi bar and eatery. Allan and Patricia our hosts. The bar was closed due to being a public holiday. However, Allan provided a couple of quiet ones. 

Our tent was pitched in no time and a Back Country feed cooked.

It had been another 30km day. Our muscles were looking forward to a restful night.

Day 34 - Waipapa Dam to Whakamaru

 5th Feb

Sandie transferred us back to the Waipapa Dam to resume our walk to Mangakino. Some of this 18km segment was cycle trail but most was road walking due to forestry closing part of the trail for excavation work. I think cyclone Gabrielle caused some grief.

We reached Mangakino in under 4 hours and met Sandie at the library. Time down at the pontoon for more lake swimming! 

By 6pm we began the trail walk from Mangakino to Whakamaru. It ended up taking longer than we expected and totalled 11.5k. So, hello darkness our old friend. Nice to finally reach the motorhome and stay over at the Whakamaru Freedom camping reserve.

Day 33 - Arohena to Waipapa Dam

 4th Feb

Today’s section was 24km of road walking. We had a number of cyclists come past. One couple were from Wellington and had begun their journey on e-bikes from Cape Reinga 15 days ago. They even gave us their contact details if we were in Wellington and needed a place to stay.

The weather was clear and hot. We were glad to finally reach the Waipapa Dam. Sandie had gone ahead with the motorhome and so was able to ‘transfer’ us to Mangakino (16km) further on where we would stay the night. 

Mangakino has a lot going for it. Parks, a golf course, frisbee golf, and a wonderful lakeside reserve with a pontoon for water play etc. Karl was in his element. Popping bombs, manus and staples.

Day 32 - Horahora Rd to Arohena

 3rd Feb

A comfy bed and great hospitality thanks to Pete and Janine’s place.

Pete walked with us roadside for the first 7km down to Little Waipa. We followed a dedicated cycle trail for most of this segment and there are plans looming to extend the trail further.

Conversation came easily. Before we knew it the Little Waipa reserve, with a number of camping families busy preparing for their day, came into view.

We farewelled Pete. I did some signage reading while Karl visited the toilet. It was sometime later before we were placing our packs on our backs and just as we were about to leave, a familiar horn was tooting from up near the roadside. It was Sandie arriving in our motorhome. She parked up and we checked in. Ultimately, things were organised that she could track along with us as our accomodation over the next few days through to Waitangi Day.

Meanwhile, formidable clouds had gathered and rumbles of thunder could be heard. It was a good half hour thunderstorm before we stepped out again to carry on the trail.

This part of the river trail was so scenic. We loved its contours and variation. Arapuni swingbridge came into site. We had been in touch with Sandie’s sister Roz and her family; Phil and children Todd and Erin. They were exploring the area on bikes. It was wonderful to have them join us for crossing the swingbridge. I’m not a fan of heights (especially ones of 160 feet) but put on my best bravery for the children, who didn’t seem overly concerned. 

We farewelled Roz, Phil and family at the Arapuni Dam crossing and thanked them for some scrumptious lunch they provided. Sandie went ahead with the motorhome.

By late afternoon we weaved our way into the tranquil Arohena DOC campground. Plenty of space here and not too many people. A spot for us right by the lake.

The evening grew calmer. A stark contrast from the severity of the earlier thunderstorms. We could take time to relax, eat well and enjoy the setting.

Day 31 - Cambridge to Horahora Rd

 2nd Feb

This morning had its emotions. The last couple of days we had been the closest to home we ever would be for walking NZ. Both Hamilton and Cambridge are 34km from home. Beyond today, every step we take moves us further away from home.

We were now creating our own pathway for a time period since reaching Hamilton. Using the Waikato River Trails as a means to get further south faster. We’ll only really know when we get there.

So, a drive across by Sandie to where we stopped the previous day. The Warehouse - where everyone gets a bargain.

It was getting on in the day - 11am as we crossed the Leamington Bridge. Very narrow for traffic and pedestrians alike. Onwards along country roads and a wide concrete path running parallel. We passed horse studs with elaborate entrance ways. Karl sat to rest against a wooden railed fence. The electric wire just above the rail gave a crack. Karl yelped, leapt to his feet and scuttled away cursing.

At Karapiro we continued along the river. Lovely boardwalks out off the edge of the lake. When the cycle trail ended it was roadwalking time. The toughest part was negotiating about 3 km of state highway 1. The rain started increasing in its intensity until we were walking in a downpour. 

Pete came to check on our progress and we only had a couple of km to go. He was well prepared for two drowned looking chaps when we reached his place further along Horahora Rd.

It was a great catch up with Pete. Janine was away up north in Russell and so it was a shame not to see her too.

Pete is a former colleague DP at Matamata Primary. 

A lovely shower, meal and conversation, before turning in for the night. A big 33km day done.

Day 30 - Hamilton to Cambridge

And so a new segment begins.

We have planned to take an alternative route to the Te Araroa. This incorporates the Waikato River trails that extend to Whakamaru and beyond. We will branch off at Whakamaru and take the Western side of Lake Taupo to re-meet the Te Araroa at the Tongariro Crossing.

Many have said how late in the season we are and so to close this gap we need to use our ‘smarts’.

A rest day at home and we were ready to resume Thursday 1 Feb.

The Te Awa River Ride cycleway continues south from Hamilton to Maungatautari Rd (just south of Karapiro Dam). What a fantastic asset! So well made! The boardwalks are broad with grippy mesh to help prevent slipping.

After 30k we reached the township of Cambridge. ‘Town of Trees’. 

Sandie once again collected us to spend a second night at home.