Day 57 - Picton to Havelock

 After a stock up of some essential items at Fresh Choice we made our way out of town along Queen Charlotte Drive. A distance of 35 kilometres was going to be a great reintroduction to walking in the south. 

We were pleasantly surprised to find a dedicated walking trail going parallel to the road.It was known as the Te Ara Tuhono)which means the pathway (ara), that links or connects (tuhono).

The Queen Charlotte Drive had had a real beating from weather recently and there were a number of slips with one lane passes. The vista was amazing though and it is clear to see that plenty of effort is being made to make the shared cycle / walk path work. After all, make the trails - and the people will come!

Cyclists doing the Tour Aotearoa came past late afternoon. They called out cheerfully. Later that evening a few came up to us and said they took their hat off to what we were doing with walking NZ. You could see genuine admiration in their facial expressions , which was heartening for us. We wished them well with their cycling challenge.

Stormy conditions are scheduled for the next couple of days which will delay us from progressing into the Richmond Ranges.

Our campsite in Picton.

Leaving Picton along Queen Charlotte Drive. We stopped to watch the Interislander’Aratere’ load up.

Shakespeare Bay logging operations. 

Impressive boardwalks along the bay.

Stunning view back towards Picton in the distance. 

Looking out over the Marlborough Sounds.

A brief beach walk.

Havelock comes into view in the distance.

35km has been a solid days effort.

Day 56 - Khandalla Hills to Island Bay

 29 February 

Happy leap year!! Especially those born this date and have a birthday once every four years!

Our descent from near the top of Mt Kaukau was shrouded in mist. You had to be careful on wet pine tree roots that you were sure footed. 

We zig zagged our way through the city streets taking in the sights. A rest break and snack at the Beehive. People holding placards to protest something unclear … still.

The waterfront was a hive of activity. A dragon boat festival was being readied. People on the move. Walking, jogging, cycling, scootering, skateboarding, tuk-tukying (if it’s said this way).

We closed in on Island Bay. Here we celebrated the completion of walking the length of the North Island of New Zealand. I finished the walk wearing the shoes that left Cape Reinga all that time ago. If my shoes were a person they would have loved this sentimental touch. Good on them. Good on us! It hasn’t always been the easiest, but our appreciation and learning has grown with each day.

Bring on the South Island!

Trevor (A lifelong friend of Mr Hampton’s)and Diana collected us from the beach and took us to their home in Te Kainga (an elevated site over 200 metres above sea level)! Stunning views and wonderful hospitality! The pics say it all.

You can just make out the harbour below.

That’s not a treehut. It’s someone’s garage for off road parking.

Weld Street. One of the steepest in Wellington. 

Snack break with a view.

The cake tin. Sky Stadium.

Graveyard near Victoria University.

Not quite sure what this building was about…

Time in a Lego store is always a great time!

Island Bay.

The same shoes finished that started.

View from the home of Trevor and Diana.

Sailing to the other side - Wellington to Picton

 1 March - not considered a walking day today.

A morning on high. The view over the city was stunning. A clear blue sky and a gentle breeze that made the statement ‘nothing could be wrong in the world!’

Diana drove us all down the driveway, delivering Trevor to an appointment and us to the waterfront. We were ‘pack free’ and had a couple of hours to explore the city.

A diving platform caught the attention of Karl. Who quickly decided to leap from it into the harbour. Shirt off. Crocs off. Phone from pocket. A leap that made him look like a seagull. Arms outstretched, he stapled into the deep green which exploded with white spray. His biggest finding was how surprisingly salty the water was!

By mid afternoon, back at the house, we were saying our farewells. Trevor and Dianna had been wonderful hosts. Trevor drove us to the ferry terminal and before we knew it, the Aratere Interislander was cruising on out of Wellington Harbour.

Karl shouted us both to a crossing in the Premium Lounge. This meant buffet food and unlimited beverages. We did alright for ourselves. 

After hearing that we were walking the length of NZ, the manager on board asked if we would like to visit the captain at the helm. To which we said, ‘for sure!’

Our own private tour of the helm on the Interislander was such a treat. The amount of buttons, switches, screens and dials, reminded me of the control centre in Star Trek. (For those of you who remember that show).

Into Tory Channel and before long we were docking at Picton. The sun was setting as we walked, packs on, through the streets to Alexander’s Holiday Park.

It had been an adventurous day across Cook Strait. Certainly one to remember.

Two things broke sleep before midnight. One was a train rumbling past on the tracks above us at the campground. It almost felt like it was gong to come through the tent! The second was multiple shrill calls from Kiwi in the bush nearby. About 3am, rustling near our tent made me wonder if there was a trained kiwi coming to visit.

Goodnight.

Karl takes flight, with Te Papa museum in the background.

Down…

‘Kersplash!!!’

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside Wellington Railway Station.

Thor’s hammer.

Should I jump?

Our ferry about to dock in the background.

Our hosts: Trevor and Diana.

At the Captain’s helm.

Entering Tory Channel

A smooth Cook Strait crossing.

Picton: Gateway to the Sth Island.

Day 55 - Mana to Khandalla Hills

 28 February 

After a New World breakfast, which usually consists of an up and go 6 pack between us and a couple of bananas, we headed south along a cycle trail. The water was so calm, it made clearly defined reflections.

We tramped into the hills above Khandallah. We fortunately found a place flat enough to pitch the tent. Everywhere seems step in Wellington. A few local trampers stopped for a chat. Other than that we settled in for the night. Had a phone call with Sandie. So nice to hear her voice and have a catch up over the events of the day and how things are back in the ‘Ville.

Lets hope the morning view of Wellington Harbour is as impressive in the morning!

Reflections at the mariner.

Leaving Mana…

Police College. Shout out to all who have attended!

Rain ‘skiffing’ throughout the valley.

Recognise this character??

Stepping it out…

First view of Wellington Harbour.

Khandallah.

High in the hills above Wellington.

Day 54 - Paraparaumu to Mana

 27 Feb

It wasn’t long this morning and we were walking Paraparaumu Beach along the Kapiti Coast.

Plenty of driftwood lay strewn along the beach. Amongst it all my eye caught sight of a greenish feather. Perhaps from the kākāriki bird (type of parakeet). I inserted it into the top of my mana stick, which continues to change daily.

At the settlement of Paekākāriki, we grabbed a bite to eat. Who should come wandering into the village? - Kathy and Ivet! Our trampers from way back in the Tararua Ranges. They had hitched to Waikanae and walked the segment to here. They were going to return back to Paraparaumu as they had hosts there. It again points out that everyone can craft their own journey through NZ. And, why not?

Ngatitoa Domain in Mana is where we pitched camp for the night.

Kapiti Island from Paraparaumu Beach.

It’s been some time since we were on a beach. Auckland’s North Shore, 1000 km ago.

Loving the coastline again.

A great shared trail for walking and cycling. Plus the odd fishing attempt.

We could faintly see the South Island from here.

Queen Elizabeth park on the Kapiti coastline.

Ivet and Kathy at Paekākāriki.

Old state highway 1. Most traffic takes transmission gully now.

Kapiti coastline near Paremata.

Colourful tunnel mural near Mana.