Te Araroa day 36
Woke the morning about 5am, had crashed out reading my book and left the tent door open. It was freezing. That will teach me. Soon snuggled up and feel back to sleep until 7:30am. A late start, but needed a bit extra after a big couple of days.
Packed up, some breakfast and off again, a few minutes behind Jane and Pipa who had arrived yesterday evening and camped next door.
Followed farm tracks through paddocks for a while, then down by the river. Cattle had obviously been through recently, but didn't come across any. Joined up with 4WD track to head up to the Tin Hut.
Not the destiantion for today, would continue on up and over another saddle to reach the Top Timara Hut.
I put on David Attenborough's A life on our planet audiobook, which I had downloaded a few days ago.
I believe everyone should read or listen to this book.
I grew up watching DA on tv and always loved hearing his voice over some of the best TV ever made. As a yound boy back in 70's and 80's the natural history shows had a profound influence on me and established a keen interest in the amazing world around us.
Listening to David talk about the destruction of the plant in his lifetime, coupled with stories from his travels had an emotional impact on me.
I found my self alone in the hills crying my eyes out, free to allow my emotions to flow and comfortable doing so. I did wonder how I would explain this should someone appear, but I knew that was unlikely.
The coupling of his wonderful experiences with nature and the human impact we have caused to this finite planet I found overwhelming.
For decades we did not understands the impact of what we were doing, but now we do and we CAN make a difference to our future.
He does progress through the book with some insight into what solutions exist, but time is running out.
I might not finish the book tomorrow, not sure I can cope with another emotional day so soon.
What happened to Day 34?
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