Start – TA km 933 (nr Mangaokewa)
Finish – Pureora
Daily Distance – 37 km
TA Distance – 970 km
There was an interesting after dinner debate last night. The subject was whether today’s 37km road walk
was “trail” or not. Now, it’s obviously part of Te Araroa, so can quite clearly be considered “trail” from
that perspective. However, from another perspective I can understand the objection. I have heard a
number of people in previous weeks state that they are walking Te Araroa to get out into the wilderness.
This is usually followed by an expression of disappointment that the trail passes through so many small
towns and uses so many roads. Personally, I hate walking on tarmac roads even when there is little traffic,
but there are many people who feel that way about metal roads and occasionally well groomed footpaths
too. Perhaps “trail” is best defined as whatever makes us feel like we’re in the wilderness and not in
absolute terms of terrain and scenery.
At any rate, except for a 10km tarmac section, I really enjoyed today’s walk. Much of the day has been
like taking an extended stoll through the set of “All Creatures Great and Small”. Farms and rivers
stretched out from the road like a geographically misplaced part of Yorkshire. The best part of walking on
pleasantly straightforward ground for a change is the chance to let my mind wander. I’m usually too busy
trying not to fall on my nose or get lost so there’s not much spare time for pondering anything else. That
probably accounts for the unusually philosophical entry today.
Anyway, I’ll draw this to a close now as I’m pretty beat and feeling in need of an early night (20:15).
While I enjoyed the day I’m still not fit enough to walk 37km without finding it pretty tough. Maybe in
another 2000km…
