FROM THE SHETLANDS!!

http://youtu.be/csWsjaK3fgk

check out this link for ORCA action from July. About minute one -  you will see me & my red raincoat!

AURUORA BOREALIS

2am local time - watching shimmering northern lights in the street outside my hotel in tromso - its not even that cold - just wearing crocs! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!

Progress for this summer!

Meanwhile hopefully I will do better at blogging while I am in the UK - better internet access anyway. Stay tuned. Next update coming in a few days!!!!

22-28th Feb: Day 15 to 21:Queenstown to Wanaka (MOTUTAPU TRACK) Total 348km

Through walker, Clode, from Switzerland!

 Wow - serendipity! I met Clode on the trail in Waitomo when i was there at Christmas with family. She had been walking for 5 weeks I was still planning my adventure. We agreed to look out for each other but was astonished to run into her on the trail to Macetown. We yarned for almost an hour! Very cool.






 

The Arrow River

 Fascinating walking through the history of this area with traces of gold mining activity all around. Lots of rivers crossings too.

Old Pack trail heading up Roses Saddle

 

Gentians

What a contrast between high tops & farmed valley

Can you see the hut? (pretty much dead centre of the pic)

Highland Creek Hut

 Much of this area has been sold to overseas owners (Shania Twain) & the trade off was creating the Motutapu track including building 3 new huts - they are crisp and clean & have great decks for soaking up the sun. Which we did with gusto til 7.30pm at Highland Creek.

T

 Track conditions varied from rugged and steep to more mellow as i headed down to Fernburn Hut.

Copper butterfly

Lyn & Vern (friends from home!)

Calm Lake Wanaka - looking back up the Motutapu valley

 copious skinks entertained me as I trundled downwards but only this copper butterfly lingered for a photo.
A delight to meet Lyn & Vern at Fernnburn Hut & have the hut to ourselves that night.
Lyn & Vern live a few kms from home! They ferried me & my gear all about as well as providing great company & encouragement. Thanks guys!

Best cafe in Wanaka!

The Mighty Clutha River

Wild Lake Hawea!

Day3 (Feb 4th ) -Day 7 (Feb11th) South Coast & the Longwoods Total 133km

The Wildlife sure is variable around here!

My first Te Araroa signs!!!

Heading to Colac Bay

A great variety of signage!

The old water race.......

Nice to start with day walks and even to have company - Lloyd Esler, Ruth Dudfield & her brother Lloyd Blaikie.
Local knowledge & insights a real treat & fresh milk, cream & homemade butter from Ruth's cow were extra special (& no! this is not the cow!)












































Ruth & husband Allen & brother Lloyd did a magic job ferrying me around all the back forestry roads to access the Longwoods.
Scariest moment to date was deep loud "barking" in the dark damp woods of the water-race when i was walking alone. I didn't know deer barked. Just knew it was a large unidentified animal! Certainly added to my pace which was a hidden bonus!

14-20th FEB: Day 9 to 14: Takitimus & into Mavora Lakes Total 258km

First leg with FULL pack!

See I can take a picture of me! And proves the sun is shining too!

Spaniards - Awesome!

First Hut - Lower Wairaki Hut

 Finally heading into the hills & North! Yeah!

Waterloo Valley

Takitimu mountains - leaving them behind!

My Hennessey Hammock in action nr Mararoa River

Does look like a "full" pack in silhouette doesn't it!
I got smarter - but not til later!




















From the top of this "mountain" saw my last glimpse of the south coast.












Great hut & excellent bath in nearby creek in the sunshine but later on scared myself silly reading about Grizzly attacks in a Readers Digest I found in the hut. Dumb huh!










Crazy Hereford cattle & lots of river (well ripple) crossings. Super sunburn & the start of the blisters!
Friendly hunter blessed me with caramel slice & a venison pie - Yum.










Takitimus were an excellent challenge but nice for them to slip behind - feel like I'm really starting to make progress.











Long road slog to get to the Kiwiburn swing bridge & somewhere to camp. Wet boots & road equals BLISTERS! Oww!
Wet feet again the next day & another 20+km - not alot of fun so when a kindly boatie offered me a ride out - I jumped at the chance & got from Carey Hut (on Nth Mavora Lake) to my friend Susi's living room in Queenstown in 3 hrs (2 hitches) - Wow!

12th Feb: DAY 8: Merrivale Road to Struan Flat Road Total 149km

TIGGER!

A leisurely start. Dave dropped me to the start point for 10am! Rolling countryside  - not a riveting walking & the wind was tiresome. Highlight was watching the Takitimu Mountains get closer. Got to try out my new MP3 player (thanks Val) & it distracted me nicely despite being a little hard to hear as the wind whistled passed my ears. 18km later & i got a chance to explore the start of the next leg. Just as well – as the excellent marking only goes just passed the first stile. However have sussed the river crossing & hopefully it will improve after that. Planned to thumb a lift the 8km back to Ohai but not alot of traffic & no-one seemed game to pick me up - until an American woman with 3 kids & a dog (the midwife from Tuatapere)  took me to my door. I was very grateful. But I must be getting fitter as I walked until i got a ride! Fabulous to be able to soak in a hot bath (certainly one of my walk highlights to date – bath soaking.) Did find a new blister !

Much anxiety about what to do tomorrow – want to keep moving – feeling happy about the route now – but weather looking unappealing.

13^th Feb: Ohai – Rain dodging

Luxurious sleep in (especially after peering out the window & seeing the wet & thick murk). The upstairs rooms in Taylor’s Lodge are so warm with no heating – lovely. After breakfast Dave kindly offered to take me to the store at Ohai  for a few groceries – want to keep my tramping food intact to last me through to Glenorchy. The rest of the family is off at Motor X for the day – so i try to resist the big screen TV & catch up on my journal etc. Also did a little sodoku & played with Tigger the kitten.

No internet for the last week or so & no more now until Queenstown - Feb 22ndish - so will try & catch you all up then & add some pics!

The Journey has begun............................Day 1&2

Wild & Wiiiiindy day at Bluff

What country am i in??

Some very civilised walkways

Glorious southern skies

A journey of 3000km begins with the first steps - the profile photo is where it all began.
Despite dire weather forecasts the rain had passed & the sun shone. The first 7km were laced with friendly tomtits, dunnocks & flocks of sooty shearwaters just off shore. Sadly despite the wind no sign of any albatross. I only had the wind & close passing  (but very friendly) trucks to contend with as i walked the road from Bluff to Invercargill. Not a riveting section of the trail but great to be on my way.
This morning an early start to allow lots of time to find a pair of fernbirds, 13 Royal Spoonbills & a flock of 15 kereru.  42km completed so far!! Oreti Beach tomorrow!