Day 46 - Whanganui to Lake Dudding

19 February

The ‘rest day’ yesterday had revitalised us to some degree.

This morning I was surprised to find Emma, a cyclist who we had crossed paths with back near Pipiriki, was also at the backpackers. She was riding to Rangiwahia, the same location as Brad was today. Emma was over from the UK, had brought her bike across, and was 7-8 days into her NZ adventure from Auckland. She was heading to Bluff eventually and then would cycle back up the country again. She was keen to cycle the Coromandel Peninsula at some point. It pointed out to me, there are a number of adventurous people out doing experiences.

Today our target was to Lake Dudding campground - 32k along state highway 3.

Half way there we almost witnessed a steer jump from the back of a truck trailer unit. The door opened out the back as he turned out of a side road. Luckily he noticed the animals head looking out the side end of the trailer, pulled over in a hurry and fixed the door. I hate to think what could have happened.

We arrived with time to spare before darkness set in. We were tired and were thankful when our campsite was set up and dinner cooked and consumed.

Day 47 - Lake Dudding to Mt Lees Reserve

 20 February 

Rise and shine it’s a brand new day! 

The lake looks gloomy in the early light. Weed encroaches on much of the perimeter, so no early swims here.

We wave out to the camp caregiver as we exit onto SH3 once again. Though the campground suited our basic needs as trampers, its appearance is looking tired and run down. The entranceway could do with a revamp starting with the removal of a large dead tree. It’s so easy to fix up someone else’s place, than it is your own.

No dramas along the highway. Roadworks had a lollipop operator calling out to us across the road ‘Where you guys from?’ When we threw back across ‘Cape Reinga’. His eyebrows lifted and he exclaimed with astonishment ‘Oh…mean as!’ Somehow, I don’t think he expected that reply.

The township of Bulls was bustling. Numerous trucks thundered along the street and a number of classic muscle cars were making their way through also. 

After browsing the various signs with ‘bull’ as a play on words, we grabbed a feed and restocked other food items. Hmmm… glizzies for dinner - pork and apple.

Back on the TA trail out of town and 10 kms later we are relaxing in a lovely reserve called Mt Lees.

A 25km day complete. We even wore our old shoes. Gaffer tape now covering some of the widening holes in their sides.

Entrance to Lake Dudding campground.

Full sized grand piano on a pole. Attention grabbing.

Impending weather…

Made it to Bulls!

At least a dozen of these moulds were throughout town.

Play on word example.

Anglican Church in on it to.

Even the cute rubbish bins.

Hopefully you can zoom in on this sign and read these.

Bridge over the Rangitikei River.

Bulls in a paddock in Bulls.

The reserve for the night.

Day 45 - Whanganui to Whanganui

 18 February 

A rest day (of sorts) as we ambled 3k further into the city with our crocs on.

After a lunch at McD’s, and as we are leaving, who should ride up onto the footpath? Brad!

Brad Hall has been cycling with a small group of mates from Cape Reinga since early February. I’ve known him since teachers college days and he was best man at our wedding. It was so good to catch up with him and we did so at the sports bar for the rest of the afternoon. We had dinner with his mates also and enjoyed hearing different stories from them.

By evening, we returned to Braemar House YHA. Our tent pitched on the back lawn under a pepper tree.

Mural heading towards the main city.

Just like the Ford Escort I used to own.

Re-connecting with Brad Hall.

Braemar YHA.

These pencils would take some sharpening!

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.

Day 43 - Pipiriki to Koroniti

 Thanks Pipiriki for being such a peaceful and pleasant place. The campground had once been a school. I mused at how the challenge of ball games on the bottom field would have ended with numerous balls hit into the scrub and bush.

The days walk began at 10 and the sun had broken through the morning mist in the valley. It heated up quickly and there was very little shade at times. It became quite draining on energy to the point we had to take an extended break and have a ‘cook up’

As the day wore on you could only but marvel at the sheer walls of white clay, the engineering it would have taken to make the roading, and the carving power of the water flowing steadily far below. When a say far below, I’m talking 500 feet drops. Photos do not do justice!

We passed through a few small settlements with a handful of buildings. Caught in a time warp.

We decided to press on till 6.30 and had reached about 30km for the day. A semi-level place by a stream presented itself and we made camp for the night.

Pipiriki camping spot.

Says it all.

The Whanganui River far below.

Lovely nikau palms.

Apples for the picking…

Not too many mailboxes like this.

Hairpin corners kept us on our toes.

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.