Start – Oakura
Finish – Hansens Hill (approx)
Daily Distance – 22km (+3 off trail)
TA Distance – 307km
Day 16 of the trek and for the first time I really haven’t been in the mood to hike today. Being tired and
more focused on dinner when pitching my tent last night, I awoke this morning to pools of water forming
inside the tent where the inner and outer layers were touching. Frankly that has really set the tone of the
day. There has been persistent rain all day apart from the last few hours and the walking was mainly
either road or the same kind of ridiculously slippery forest that I thought was behind me. I am so ready to
see the back of these humid, muddy, claustrophobic bush forests. Falling flat on my arse in the mud on
several occasions has done nothing to improve the state of my mood or attire.
Still, bitching aside there were some interesting or pleasant elements to today. I owe an apology to a
collie who I startled earlier. Jumping back onto the track after lunch I heard a yelp and turned just in time
to see the rapidly retreating hindquarters or a greatly surprised pooch. I still have no idea quite why a
collie was taking a stroll in the woods, but NZ is a funny place.
Also, the cup of tea when camp was finally reached was a frankly beautiful thing. It truly is the little
things that get you through the day. Hopefully tomorrow will bring better weather and a better mood.
