Day 74 - Mt Somers to Rangitata River

 22nd March

As we departed the Mt Somers Domain campground we took a moment to talk to Trevor. He was a motorhomer, resided in Whitford, had been a teacher and had worked for Young Farmers. His current work is a role in supporting farmers with their mental health. Amazing the people you meet by chance who have points of ‘commonality’.

As we crossed an RDR I was curious to know more. The letters stand for Rangitata Diversion Race. Its purpose is to divert water from the Rangitata River and irrigate a huge area of farmland. It was the first major river diversion of its kind in the country and is the largest. All Karl wanted to know was, could he swim in it? You can guess my response!

A large feed at Mayfield gave us the boost to walk a 20k straight stretch of road. By nightfall we made camp at a rest area on the southern side of the Rangitata River. This is the river that causes plenty of grief to TA walkers. It has taken lives in the past. The detour is 130k long so it’s no surprise some take the ultimate risk of crossing it. Karl and I looked down at the river, though not high in volume it still would be a challenge to cross. Thank you bridge.

A 35k above average distance walk for the day.

Tent down and in pack up mode.

A window in my sock. Good for ventilation.

A canal for water reticulation. RDR.

Walking fuel.

High carbs in these dehydrated mangoes. Thanks to McDonalds for the supply.

Food to fuel the bods.

This is what 20k on a straight road looks like. One word - long

Day 73 - Rakaia Gorge to Mt Somers

Such a lovely meal last night and catch up with Don, Kelly and Charlie.

Charlie was our chauffeur back to the same spot at the Rakaia Gorge. A carved pou featured part way up the hill out of the gorge.

The farming landscape again unfolded before us. We were in the rhythm of walking and strode on vigorously until Staverley. Here we stopped for a cafe feed. They closed at 3pm and we made it there by 2.30. A distance of 24k in just 5 hours. 

Tummies filled and on we went. Mt Somers Domain camping ground became our evening destination. There was a rugby training under lights. Karl joked about joining in. He will join the Morrinsville Sports Colts team when he returns from this hikoi.

A 33k effort for the day.

Great to reconnect with Kelly, Don and Charlie in Methven.

A beautifully carved pou (totara) representing the taniwha of the Rakaia River.

Heading towards Mt Hutt.

The mana stick looks over the whenua.

Bridge over the Ashburton River.

Moa roaming.

A hedge of carved macrocarpa. Can you read the words?

Tent pitched at Mt Somers Domain. Rugby training over in the background as the sun sets.

Day 72 - Coalgate to Rakaia Gorge

20 March

A farewell to Tony, Tinky, Gus and Addi. Harry, their eldest son is currently over at Christchurch Boys High School. 

Yesterday had been a zero walk day. A chance to recover and enjoy having a relaxing birthday. Tony had taken Karl and I for a tour around the 600 hectare farm. We learnt lots! Far more than can be mentioned here. It had been a lovely stay and a chance to reconnect.

Today (Day 72 of walking) we were underway just after 9am. Tinky driving us to the Coalgate Tavern. The weather cool and clear. The wide road berms providing easy walk options away from traffic. Hedgerows are prominent throughout this area, They provide the necessary shelter when wintry conditions prevail. During our rest breaks we nestled into these and fed up on snack foods. The usual protein bars, or our latest love, Whittakers peanut slabs.

At a settlement called Windwhistle, we took a much needed break. Karl refilling his water pouch. 

Another 5k and the Rakaia Gorge bridge is ready to be crossed. It’s in two parts, a single lane then a chunk of rock before a double laned bridge.

On the other side, who should pull in behind us? Don in the Supervalue van, a grin from ear to ear. With 30k achieved for the day it wasn’t long before we were in Methven. Time in a spa pool felt so good on an aching body. A table meal of air fried spuds and sirloin steak off the BBQ was divine!

Thanks Johnstone family for hosting us.

Farewell to Tinky as we leave the Coalgate Tavern.

Glentunnel - a history of coal, clay and sand mining.

A fridge made into a book exchange outside the Glentunnel School.

A farming area on the north side of the Hororata River.

The ranges near Mt Hutt.

Mown berms and high shelter belts.

The Rakaia Gorge.

Rakaia Gorge looking inland.

Rakaia river flowing away towards the sea…eventually.

Day 71 - Oxford to Coalgate

18 March

Uh oh, Karl woke with a headache this morning. It didn’t stop him getting ready for the days walk though. A couple of Panadol helped with the days start.

A clear day, with a light breeze from the south-west.

Tinky delivered us to Oxford township. A restart right outside the Fresh Choice supermarket. Gus and Addi were ready for their day at Oxford Area School, a block away. 

Before departing town we stopped at the Oxford pie shop. The Sheffield pies here are award winners. We were out to test their status. My two were venison and whiskey and steak and cheese. Karl went for a steak and cheese and the Sheffield Supreme, which included steak, bacon, onion and cheese. Mwah! What a hearty way to start the day!

Out of town and across the vast paddocks, on the other side of tall hedgerows, we noticed smoke billowing skyward. With our awareness of the dryness of the area and that fire bans had been in place, it was a worry. No one driving by on roads seemed too concerned by the growing smoke clouds. Later in the day we were to find out some permitted fires were now allowed and were a controlled burn off.

We crossed the Waimakariri River. The bridge was lumpy, pitted and a long way above the river. A truck and trailer unit crossed the one way bridge towards us. All we could do was stand sideways, hold our breaths, and let it pass by. 

Karl was starting to feeling worse as the day went on. Every rest break he was leaning back on his pack, eyes closed, and semi sleeping. My shin was tender and slightly swollen, either from a slight muscle tear or shin splint issue. We made a bid to press on from the settlement of Waddington to Coalgate. It would be 3k less than getting to Glentunnel, but given the way we were feeling… 32k for the day would be a pretty good effort.

By 6.30pm we reached the Coalgate Tavern and a couple of well deserved refreshments. Tinky arrived to collect us for another night at ‘Aroha Downs’. Karl had perked up. You could see more brightness in his eyes. 

We figured tomorrow will be a rest day.

Say no more..

Who ate the pies? 

Ponies pay as a paddock side visit.

The one way bridge across the Waimakariri.

The river flowing Christchurch direction.

A burn-off surprised us.

A separate hot spot towards Sheffield. I hope someone has the hose ready!

Day 70 - Rangiora to Oxford

 17 March - Happy St Patrick’s day!!

The morning began chatting with a man who was ‘homeless’ and living out of a tent in the reserve. It was nice to take the time to listen to his story, keeping an open mind to his viewpoints. I think he appreciated someone who listened to what he had to say.

The weather had returned to a more settled state. The roadside berms were wide and easy to walk on. The grass surface helping reduce the impact on feet and legs.

We passed a NZMCA PoP at Fernside. A PoP is a park over property. Members of the NZ motor caravan association pay a small amount to park and camp overnight at these private residences. 

The roads stretch on into the distance. The kilometres tick away. By 7.45pm we have covered 35k and have reached a Fresh Choice supermarket before it closes.

Tinky arrives to collect us. We are fortunate to have lovely family friend contacts in this part of NZ who are happy to support us with our journey. Tinky and Tony are 15 minutes out of Oxford on a 600 hectare farm. The property is named ‘Aroha Downs’.

It was lovely to reconnect with Tinky, Tony and children Gus and Addi. 

A ‘PoP’ park over place for motorhome at Fernside.

Protein bars have become the snack through the day.

Nice and wide walking berms.

Haybarn with a difference. See the bales through the windows?

A road name I thought was interesting…

Only one vowel.

Day 69 - Amberley to Rangiora

Farewell Beau and whanau. It had been great to connect. Beau is a DoC (Department of Conversation) ranger and so we had interesting chats around his role and the challenges of trail maintenance.

At the end of Beau’s driveway we discovered we’d left our food bag, cups and sporks behind. Darn it! Who would go back?  

Running back ended up being a mistake for me. Either a shin muscle pulled or a shin splint developed. Redness and swelling of the lower leg was the key sign.  Deep heat and voltaren have become the new ‘sponsors’ of the Haddock hikoi.

In Amberley, an elderly lady was trying to start her lawnmower at the berm. It was nice to help her out and get it going. She was really appreciative. Wishing us well for our journey.

After buying supplies from the super-market, we were off again towards Rangiora. The sights along the way included horses, the Tokomaru train, a mob of goats roaming freely on the train tracks and a very dry Ashley River.

We stayed the night in a reserve just before Rangiora township. A 32k trek for the day.

Macie, Max and Beau.

Someone’s sign humour.

Horsey time…

The Tokomaru RM31 clatters by.

Goats playing on the railway line.

Sefton School.

There’s one in every group…

Not a drop of water could be seen flowing in the Ashley river.

Day 68 - Waikari to Amberley

 Our overnighter was in a former school building which was warmer than tenting. Its facilities had fantastic showers using the KiwiCash digital system.

On our way out of Wairaki, the main scenic feature was limestone rock formations. One was named frog rock.

The rest of the day turned rainy and cold!!! Not many photos could be taken as the conditions were so poor. The wind chill factor felt polar. Our fingers were numb carrying our sticks and when needed to be used for fine motor skills such as undoing buttons and working zips, it was tough.

Back home, the recent passings of Brian Clarke and Doug Gellert were in our thoughts. Both funerals I would have attended. 

Back home, it has been tough for Sandie too, a knee injury has impacted her mobility and for the 3rd time possums have come down the chimney. All this culminates in your thoughts. There has only been two days so far when giving up has entered my mind, and this was one of them.

All Karl and I could do was concentrate on the now, lean into the wind and rain, and get to the night’s destination. 

Thankfully, that destination was a connection through a teaching colleague of Sandie’s. Beau greeted us and said make yourselves at home. Once the fire was stoked and roaring our bodies started to recover. Though the distance covered was a more mild 24km, it felt double in difficulty. It had challenged us physically and mentally. Karl and I agreed though, sometimes you need that to appreciate all the good times.

Early in the day before it deteriorated.

Limestone landscapes.

Frog rock. Can you see why?