Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

I have run out of South island, reach Bluff after nearly 10 weeks walking this magical island.  I feel proud and thankful to call myself a New Zealander and be able to have this experience during these difficult times locally and globally. I have mixed emotions, excited to finish what I had considered and planned for many years, but also sad it's over, although ready to return as I have missed Narelle, Aidan and Tara as well as my awesome friends and my life in Auckland. I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from family, friends and colleagues and together we have raised over $10,000 toward the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, and I hope some greater awareness of the importance of mental health particularly during these difficult times. This adventure has certainly given me time to improve both mental and physical health which I hope to bring back to my life in Auckland. Its often said a trip like this will change you, I don't think it has, but it has g

Garmin Connect The weather turned and what a beautiful blue sky day for my final day to Bluff. 35km. I bought a celebratory whisky to enjoy at the end, its a small bottle of Cardrona New Zealand Whisky. Felt appropriate after a few celebrations on the journey. - sharing whisky and coffee at end of day on queen Charlotte with Melu & Nike - top of Waiau Pass, whisky slushy with the St Arnaud team, Anne, Dave, Kerry, Dale, Kirsten, Nicki, Peter and Holly - stag saddle, celebrating highest point with Jane and Alex The walk to Bluff starts with a nice trail by the estuary. Followed by a long stretch of noisy road. I did pass an old church on the way, which must be the farthest south. I do have a love of old wooden churches.which can be found dotted around New Zealand..I should write a book about them one day. The last 6km of the Te Araroa trail finishes with a trail round the Bluff, offering beautiful vistas west and across to Stewart Island.

Garmin Connect Otatara holiday park to Invercargill was a short an uneventful day, just 7km on the side of the road. Really just a rest day, or delaying the end. Lucky it was not the day i planned the big push to the end, it was a little wet when i left, and remained for most of the day, so was nice chilling in Invercargill and even managed to go to the movies to keep out of the rain. Some great old building in Invercargill, churches and masonic lodges, very Scottish. And of course visited the awesome motorbike museum. Perhaps I won't get an electric motorbike after all. A moto guzzi or Indian might be next.

Garmin Connect I was beginning to think I was running out of great days walking the Te Araroa trail, everyone seems to be dreading the 25km beach walk from Riverton to Otatara. I was certainly keeping an open mind and once again was blessed with a beautiful blue sky day with not a breath of wind. Leaving the Riverton/Aparima harbour at the mouth of the Aparima river it was pond like. The sun slowly rising above the beach. I could barely see the destination at the far end of the beach, but it didnt matter to me. I knew the distance, know my pace and therefore knew how long it was going to take me. I felt possibly more content with the prospect than on any other day. I knew what lay ahead and all I had to do was walk and enjoy. I had downloaded Billy Connolly's autobiography 'windswept and interesting' audio book for this trip. Chapter 1. 'do what makes you happy' was a great way to start the day. Billy, clearly struggled with happiness, des

Garmin Connect I get to really enjoy the coast this morning with a short 12km walk from colac bay to riverton. Starts with a short road section until it disappears due to sea erosion, then down onto the beach. Fortunately the timing it good and the tide is out so most of the pebble beach is walkable. Then finished with an up over a small hill into Riverton. From the hill top I could see tomorrow's walk, 26km of beach, as far as the eye could see.

Garmin Connect The day started with gravel road to forest, then forest road. Forest of mostly eucalyptus trees, very tall and straight, past felling activity stripping trunks. Onward through forest up to Bald Hill, without trees funnily enough, and a big mast. I was very windy being blown off the track at times. I stopped for a bit behind building sheltered from the wind for a wee snack. View of Bluff Hill, The END is in sight. Continued down from the mast on forest road, coming across this serious gate. Felt like i was coming out of a maximum security secret location. I found the spikes protruding from the front of the gate a little excessive, more like something from mad max 2. Back off road and into muddy forest, hard to keep out of it. Arrived at Martin's Hut, which is an older 4 bed hut, already occupied by 3 NOBOs. I had been feeling really good over the past hour or so, and was already considering continuing on and doing a do

Garmin Connect Woke to a beautiful sun rise through the mist of the morning. The shearing quarters at the Birchwood Station provided a great stay for the night. The day started with a calf busting 400m vertical climb followed by a nice gentle forest road section through pine forest before entering native forest. finishing with some road before the merivale hut. Nice sentiment from locals, although not sure if the upsidedown flag is significant. The hutwas set on a wee plot of land next to a field of horses. 5 bunk hut with narrow bunks and large mattresses, risk of rolling off in the night. Mouse appeared interested in content of packs. Trap with peanut butter very effective.  Morning horses grazing.

Garmin Connect The night at Telford campsite was just a little too much on the stormy side of discomfort. I do like a good 'Stormy, stormy night', but alone in the middle of nowhere it is cause for concern. Unfortunately, when i pitched the tent is was a beautiful afternoon, so i had not paid too much attention too the depth of the pegs, or indeed using all the pegs to ensure optimum resistance against wind and rain. I woke about 2am with the side of the tent folding in and a small river running through and along the floor of tent. Minor concern, but not too worried, i and my sleeping side of the tent was still dry. As i investigated i also realiaed my head torch was low on battery, so if there was an emergency, like the tent blowing away, i would not beable to see. Not good. so i put the torch on charge and tried to get back to sleep, cozy in my bag, listening to the sounds of nature. I did survive the night and woke to a bleak morning, Dreich as we would day in Scotland.

Garmin Connect Aparima hut was close to full, Jane and Pip had arrived last and stayed in the older hut with 3 beds, while the other 5 of us stayed in the newer 6 bed hut. 3 sobos, 2 nobos and 2 just checking out the area in semi-retirement. I believe this section was the longest uninterrupted forest, 18km under the canopy, is seems lush with strong healthy looking trees and diverse undergrowth, moss, ferns, and fungi. Check out this little guy. not sure what it is, but unusual colour. After stopping at the lower wairaki hut for lunch (14km, 4hrs) the track continues in the forest, climbing to just over 1000m.  I reach this helpful graffiti on the trail marker, thinking, understandable i had reached the top. I stopped, enjoyed the moment, and checked in with Internet, before pressing onto the downhill, only to discover there was still more up. A final steep climb, broke out of the forest with a great view south. The last point above 1000m on the

Garmin Connect Dropped off to pinchester hut, walked in lovely beech forest, in and out of tussock areas which at times were had to navigate. Caught up with Jane and Pip who had stayed at the Hut last night. The Terminator just keeps coming after them. Arrived at Hut as 2 locals appeared doing a day walk. Nice chat with them while another 2 NOBO arrived.

Garmin Connect When i started pitching my tent one of the guys from the group next door mentioned they were a bit loud at night.. I figures after rhe snoring the night before, how bad could it be. Turned out they were loud, playing music and signing along. Which i loved, and such a great playlist, could have been from my own spotify.  Seems its been too long since I listened to music. I lay in my tent singing and tapping along to myself until past midnight when they finally called it. Despite that and waking early freezing in my tent, I really enjoyed the walk from Lake Mavora following the Mavaroa river between swing bridges. Garmin Connect Including a visit from a very friendly Robin. I exited at the swing bridge to follow the road, heard the track from there was overgrown and was keen to try to get to Te Anau. Walked another 10+km on road before finally getting hitch rhe highway, then another hitch very quickly onto Te Anau.

Garmin Connect Left the greenstone hut to continue up the valley, following the river. Another fine morning destined to be another hot day on the trail. Certainly not complaining, been so lucky and now mostly comfortable with the hot temperature.  The first part of the day to Tiapo Hut was easy enough, stopped for a snack before continuing on. The 2nd half started to feel like a long day, and i guess it was, 24km, with new boots and a heavy pack full of food for the days ahead. I was certainly struggling, seems to have lost my mojo back in Queentown. I felt clumsy, couldn't find my rhythm and kept losing the path. Felt slow and painful. Finally made it to the hut before i lost it completely. Holly was chilling, preparing to push on to the next hut. There was no way i was up for that. definitely done for the day. Dr Michael was also in the house, NOBO (partly) having just finished PHD in Hong Kong. Emily arrived after a while, she was just walking around

Garmin Connect Leaving Queenstown was hard after a few days of luxury. Late start with shuttle to the Greenstone trail head. The greenstone track to the hut of the same name was a very enjoyable walk and not too taxing after probably too many days rest.  The greenstone river is so named due to the green colours stone which is found in this valley. It is not a soure of pounamu, which is only found on the west coat. Similar to the heart shaped stone i found for narelle, it's Green, but not pounamu. The hut was very nice, large and even included flushing toilet. Also, as i have come to expect, a beautiful setting, looking back down the valley.