Friday 30 November 2012

Ahipara welcomes us!

We made it! (Only 2900km to go though!) Back to tarmac, houses, road signs, golf carts, quad bikes and a dairy that serves fush n chups. Had that for brekkie then asked the woman behind the counter if she knew of anyone who could take us to kaitaia on Monday morning and drop us off back at herekino forest track as we need to post some stuff back to Auckland. She said that her sister is able to take us if we stick some fuel in her car then she said that we can stay in her out house if we're struggling for accommodation! Happy days! We're there now......recharging, resting and recovering.

Thursday 29 November 2012

More te araroa thru trampers

Ben (nz), emily, steve (nz), dan (canada), rajiv (singapore). Nearly at end of 90 mile beach, about 12km north. Sleeping out in the forest for the night and getting to ahipara for brekkie tomorrow and a rest day. Were all fairing well and have strength in numbers.

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Wow....what a day

After the highs we had to come crashing down. Woke up on wrong side of bed, it was raining, took off with no breakfast, sea came in and washed away the tea and coffee once we actually did set up for brekkie, soft sand so couldn't get traction, Ems blister took a turning for the worst - It's over 7cms diameter and now requires an ankle dressing.....bla bla bla! Anyway, day took a complete Uturn once we stumbled upon a settlement of huts that are open for all to stay at on a donation only basis. There's a kitchen, toilets and showers.......with hot water! Being out in the sand for 4 days and you get to rediscover the joy in simple things in life.

Phil's equipment

Have tried and tried to reduce pack down to a minimum, although still have a tablet, ipod and speakers as "luxury items" despite culling my bialetti coffee maker, my hip flask and smoking paraphernalia (unsure of spelling). Base pack weight is 18kgs with the food.....might have to slim it down somehow but enough of the talk......time to don the packs and get on with it!

Just chilling...

Ocean on the right, beach laid right in front of us, with sand dunes on our left.......all disappearing to the same vanishing point. That's our view right now. Would like to jazz it up and say that whales are breaching, dolphins are playing in the waves but they're not. Anyway, our spirits are high and we're getting the km's knocked back. After exposure to the sun yesterday and subsequent sunburn we've walked 12km this morning and have pitched our tent on the beach to wait out the hottest point of the day. We'll head back out once it's cooled down and walk into the evening. Physical report - Regi and Em both have blisters plus Em is worried about her tan lines. My shoulders and back ache but the body best hurry up and get strong i keep telling it. Hope you're all ok, especially little maisie x

Away we go....

Well, ok, after having a long sleep, wake and have brekkie we were wished good morning with rain which made packing up a delight especially with all the sand from camping on the dunes. All good though, we're all in good spirits and get to don our brand new jackets......they're definitely water proof. Up and over the headland and we see 90 mile beach open out in front of us - our tramping/trekking /hiking territory for the next 4 days! It's a wild west coast wilderness that plays with the imagination. 20km of it tomorrow, 25km of it the day, 20km of it after that then a final 17km of it the day after that....ummmm......will have to think of some games to play. Eye-spy could be a little restricting.....

Wahey! 2-3 years in the making and we're on our way

Superb weather.....have sure missed you NZ. Nervous, excited and an overwhelming urge to get on with it coupled with a feeling of  "what the hell are we doing". A whole array of emotions but ready to crack on......wish us luck

End of the first day.....setting up camp


Our new mate Regi. Met him on the shuttle from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga this morning. How random!? Turns out he's doing the full walk too so thought we'd combine our efforts. Never too far from having a laugh and missing his single malt.....we'll get along fine. Anyway, sunset number 1 has happened so time to hit the hay.......alarm clocks are officially band. Bisous x

Thursday 22 November 2012

Test run/walk

Sweet! Sense of achievement is strong as managed to get GPS working. A slightly boring post, i know but happy days. Just at top of .mt Eden to test GPS and tablet. It's a beautiful sunny day in Auckland!

The menu

Apart from a few fresh bits this is our food for the the first six days of the walk. Doesn't seem much eh?

The start date is getting closer!

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Are we really doing this???

Are we really doing this....er, yes I think so.

Are you sure you don't just want to stick the walk and instead hang out with all your mates for a sweet as summer of fun?  Er...No I don't think so.

This is a typical conversation Philly and I have with each other, erm...often!

But no, really, this is going to be the biggest thing yet.  The most epic adventure, full of unknowns, highs and lows.  But the big question remains...Are we ready?

YES...I think so...ha ha.

Bottom line is that we can't wait to get on the trail.  I guess this means that we're mad enough to think walking 3000kms in less than 5 months is a good idea!!

Obviously the idea of this blog is not to bore you with lots of details, but to show the highlights...this is a way for us to keep you posted, but also a means for you guys to offer up support and words of encouragement...as I know we will need them.

Keep in touch people, and get in touch if you want to come and join us for any sections.  I'm sure Philly and I will run of things to say in around....er....2 days.  No, only joking Philly!!

Oh and if anyone has any awesome ideas for eating on the trail...please feel free to share.  Rice, pasta, rice pasta, potatoes!  Oh the joy.

Hopefully speak soon once we're on the trail!


Tuesday 20 November 2012

Sweet as bro

Celebrating with a beer after setting up our blog! Oh, how proud we are! Great to be back in NZ - it's sunny and warm and Te Araroa beckons us. Have a few things left to sort out, like how to use a GPS! but bus is set to depart from Auckland 10am Sunday morning. Nervous and excited! Anyway, enough said.......time for another jar. Adios for now x