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!