Coromandel Peninsula

On Monday 9th December I caught the Intercity bus to Coromandel then hitched to Te Rerenga. I  stayed at the Waikawau Bay Motor Camp again. Next morning I was up early and away at 6.30am. The first 2km was along SH25 then 5km along a forestry road. Glenn from Earnslaw One had previously given me permission to walk on their road and given very explicit instructions about where to turn off the road onto an old track. At the turn off point I found a log with my name and an arrow painted on it, showing me the way.

The first half a km of the track was through gorse and I nearly gave up. However persistence paid off and eventually I was able to follow the overgrown track reasonably well. It took me 2 hours to walk the 4km. Eventually the track came out onto the Kennnedy Bay Rd. I only saw 3 vehicles going my way in the next 3 hours. Thinking I was 7kms from my destination I hitched a ride with the 3rd vehicle only to find I was just 2km from the camp. After setting up my tent I got a ride back with the same people and walked the final 2km. Total for the day was 29km.

For the next 3 nights I stayed in my tent at DOC camps. The first night was at Waikawau Bay where the staff were very helpful. They arranged for Tim the local Rural Delivery mailman to take my pack on to Sandy Bay the next day. I was walking at 6.30am again and arrived, 18km later, at Sandy Bay at 9.50am. On the way I passed through Port Charles. Tim arrived at 12.20pm with my pack and I walked the final 7km to Stony Bay.

Thursday was a perfect days walking. The first 9 km was along the Coromandel Walkway, mostly through bush, with the last 2 km across farmland. There were great views across to Great Barrier Island. I was away at 6.15am and saw nobody until I arrived at the DOC camp at Fletcher Bay.

Looking down on DOC camp at Fletcher Bay

Two German tourists agreed to take my pack 6 km onto the next camp at Port Jackson. I walked up the road for 3km and then turned off onto the Muriwai Walk. This is a grass track with a drop to the sea on one side and farmland on the other. It reminded me of coastal walks in the UK. That was until I came to a view of Port Jackson and its long sandy beach, then I knew I wasn't in the UK!

Port Jackson from Muriwai Walk

Friday 13th was a long day, in the heat, all on roads. The first 3km was uphill then most of the next 28km alongside the coast. Tama stopped to offer me a ride about half way. He agreed to drop my pack at the Colville Store. I stayed that night in a backpackers 2km south of Colville where the only other guests were a French couple. Their English not much better than my French but they went into my blog on their tablet and used software to translate it into French.

On Saturday I walked the 2km back to Colville then took a back road, a track and then the main road to Coromandel. About 9km from Coromandel I met a German guy walking and heading for where I had stayed the night before. It is unusual for me to meet other walkers and even more so to find someone doing the same walk as me in reverse! I stayed in another backpackers that night after a 27km day. A long  hot day with my big pack.  I met some people from Hamilton who agreed to take my pack to Tapu the next day.

I slept in on Sunday morning and didn't get up until 5.20am but was still away at 6.15am. Shortly after leaving Coromandel I came across the survivors of an all night party, sitting drinking around the remains of a fire. There was rubbish strewn all over the place including the side of the road. As I was walking on the main road I was wearing a Hi Vis vest. The party goers must have thought I was someone in authority come to chastise them. When I called out a greeting they told me "don't worry about the rubbish bro, we'll clean it up"!

Later I walked through Manaia, I wondered if the inhabitants were referred to as Manaiacs?
I asked for a backpackers room at the Tapu Motor Camp and was given a cabin with a double bed for $15. I've paid more for a tent site in other places. As there was a pub over the road I shouted myself a pub meal that night as I'd walked 35km that day. The camp manager agreed to take my pack into Thames the next day.

The final 23km to Thames was once again mostly on the road, fairly narrow in places  and I had to have my wits about me. Once at Thames I followed the stop-banks for 1km and then the Coastal Walkway for 2km. After collecting my pack I hitch hiked to Hamilton. My 4th and final ride for the day turned out to be someone I'd worked with and Mike took me right to my door.

I will resume walking in the New Year from Thames towards Auckland. I wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. See you all here in January.

Total kms walked to date = 1627 North Island and 3380 in total.

Santa's Little Helper

Kaylah and I at Opoutere School

Looking at Pauanui from Paku 

Friends Jo & Peter

Mangroves at Whangapoua

New Chums Beach on a rainy day

On Sunday 24th November Charissa drove me back to Waihi Beach and we stayed in the lovely holiday home of  Ange Annas, an ex colleague. I walked 9km on the beach from Bowentown to the end of Waihi Beach. From there a track goes overland to Golden Valley. However there was a sign saying the track is closed due to storm damage. Therefore Monday's 34 km  was all on roads. Perhaps due to the 25c heat, two people stopped in the afternoon to offer me rides. My grandson Cory drove out from Whanagamata to collect me and I spent the next 3 nights staying with my son and daughter in law, Adam & Adele, and my grandchildren, Cory, Hadyn & Kaylah. Later Adam drove me back to Waihi Beach and we collected my pack.

On Tuesday I gave a talk to the pupils (including Kaylah) of Opoutere School. They all seemed interested in what I am doing and if Rae, the Principal, hadn't called time then I think the questions would still be coming. Later that afternoon I completed another 8km from where Cory had picked me up, to the northern outskirts of Whangamata. That afternoon Kaylah slipped off the wet deck at school, sprained her wrist and had her arm in a sling.

It was an early start on Wednesday as Adam dropped me off at my start point at 6am. Just after 7.30am I had done 10km and called in and had a cup of tea with Rae at Opoutere School. Another 7km of back country road brought me to a forestry road. I had been given permission to walk the 5km through to the Hikuia - Pauanui Rd. I saw no one as I walked through mature pine trees. I left them undisturbed, quietly growing. It was overcast all day, which kept the temperatures down, but didn't actually rain. I had an ice cream at Hikuai, after 28km in 6.5 hours,  then hitched back to Whangamata.

Another 6am start on Thursday meant that I had completed the 12km to Tairua by  8am. At the local dairy I picked up copies of the Coastal News which featured Kaylah and myself on the front page. I stayed at the holiday home of friends, Jo & Peter, in Tairua for 2 nights. Adam delivered my pack that night. Charissa came through on Thursday night and Jo & Peter on Friday.  It was nice to be able to socalise with friends and family, after a days walking, for a change.

On Friday I climbed the local hill, Paku, walked the beach and then on SH25 to Whenuakite, a total of 15km, before hitching back to Tairua.

It was another early start on Saturday as Jo & Peter drove my pack and myself to Whitianga, where they had arranged accommodation for me with their friends. Shirley and Chris were away but had made a bed up for me in the unit in front of their home. After dropping my pack off they then dropped me at Whenuakite.  22km later I arrived at Ferry Landing, having walked along roads towards Hot Water Beach & Hahei, without actually going to either. I caught the ferry to Whitianga after climbing Shakespears Cliff.

Sunday was spent reading and resting. On Monday I became Santa's Little Helper. The first 2km were mostly along the beach and then on SH25. Out of Simpsons Beach  Sara stopped to offer me a ride, she agreed to take my pack to Black Jacks Backpackers in Kuaotuna, my destination for the day. A few km's later I stopped to pick up some Xmas presents which had been partially opened and discarded. I put these in pack day pack and continued walking. Over the next 5km I picked up ten or so Xmas presents.

Carl and Carol made me welcome at the  backpackers and Carl  agreed  to take the Xmas presents into the police station next time they went to town. I felt sure they were the result of a burglary. As some of them were obviously intended for kids I was keen for them to be reunited with their named recipients.

The next day Carol was heading to Auckland and agreed to drop my pack at a cafe, near where I was hoping to stay that night. The first 3km was along beaches at Kuaotuna where I was thrilled to see two tiny Dottrell chicks. I have been on many beaches with signs saying how rare these birds are. In fact I think I must have seen most of the total 1700 population between here and Stewart Island. This was the first time I'd seen chicks.  A narrow metal road then brought me to Matarangi and another 4km of sandy beach. At the end of the spit there was a track around the golf course and then through the subdivisions to a cafe, where I stopped for a cuppa and cake.

As I walked over a wide grass verge on the way out of Matarangi a car drove over the grass and stopped alongside me. The driver was wearing a name badge. Initially I thought that I had transgressed some local bylaw and that this was a vigilante come to run me out of town. This was far from the case as Puk is the local shopkeeper and the owner of the Xmas presents I had picked up the day before. Carl had recognized the names on the gift tags, phoned Puk who had gone to collect. He then set out to track me down to thank me. On learning where my pack had been taken, he phoned the cafe owner to arrange lunch at his expense. The good news is that the burglars had been apprehended, with the booty from Puk's and 2 other burglaries.

Another 9km later I enjoyed a lovely lunch at Castle Rock cafe then booked into the Whangapoua Holiday Park. Suzanne & Aaron have refurbished an old Forestry Camp and have reopened it as a Holiday Park. They generously allowed me to have two nights for the price of one.

Rain was forecast for Wednesday but I took a chance and walked to Whangapoua, then over a river and along a track to New Chums beach. This a a world renown beach for which access is only via the track or by boat. It was raining by the time I got there so after walking the length of the beach I returned to Whangapoua from where the local postie, Kevin gave a ride back to the camp.

It rained all day Thursday so I stayed put and read. As further rain was forecast until Monday I returned to Hamilton for a few days. The plan is to return on Monday and start walking on Tuesday. I will be in my tent for a few nights as I walk around the top of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Total km walked to date = 3220

Whakatane to Waihi Beach

11 & 12 yr olds at Thornton School asked some good questions

Keita & photo of Tyrese

Allan rowed me across the estuary from Pukehina to Little Waihi

Overlooking Mt Maunganaui from "The Mount"

Whakatane & White Island

On White Island

Boiling mud & sulphur

Abandoned factory White Island

White Island from boat Pee Jay IV

I left Opotiki last Friday, my friend Gavin drove me to the museum and then Len drove me to Ohiwa Bay, where I booked into a cabin at the Top 10 Holiday Park. Len then drove me back to Opotiki and I walked the 11km back to Ohiwa. The first 3 km was on the road with the remainder on the beach. I was not sure if I could wade across the Waiotahi River but after talking with some people collecting Pipi's, I crossed with the water coming up to my waist.

My destination on Saturday was Ohope, just half a km across the water, however there being no boat available to take me across, it was a 30km walk along the roads. At Cheddar Valley there is a 2km nature walk through a salt marsh. I stayed in my tent at the Ohope Top 10 Holiday Park. My pack was taken from Ohiwa to Ohope for me by a fellow camper.

On Sunday I walked to the end of Ohope Beach then walked back to the camp. Chelsea who lives in Whakatane and works at the camp agreed to take my pack into Whakatane at the end of the day. The days total was 16km, 11km along the beach and then up and over the Kohi Point Walkway.

I am staying in a backpackers room at the Whakatane Hotel for 3 nights. Yesterday was a little special for me. Pee Jays White Island Tours sponsored me with a free trip to White Island. It was a beautiful day and the sea was flat for the 2 hour trip out to the island 49km's away. Once there we were transferred, 10 at a time to the wharf by rubber dingy. We had been issued with hard hats and gas masks in case the active volcano erupted while on the island. Our guides took us on a 1.5 hour tour of the island and showed us sulphur deposits, boiling mud pools and the crater lake. Sulphur used to be mined here and there is the remains of a factory, abandoned in the 1930's. A great day out and something unique, visiting an active volcano on an offshore island.

Today I am having a day off (yes another one!) and catching up with some chores. tomorrow I head up the coast towards Matata, then Tauranga.

Total km's walked to date 2888km - 1145 North Island.

Barefoot to Opotiki



Abandoned road near Hawai



Cycle/Walkway Bridge Opotiki

On outskirts of Opotiki

On Tuesday 22nd October I caught a bus to Opotiki, where I stayed with my friend Gavin. On Wednesday morning I was interviewed by the Opotiki News and then hitchhiked to Te Araroa.
I booked into the Te Araoa Camp Ground and stayed in a caravan for the night.

 Thursday was a 29km walk, all on roads, past Hicks Bay and Pataka before hitching to Waihau Bay. About lunch time I spoke to Don who was doing some renovations on his house. While refilling my water bottle he told me a little about his life. He moved back here from Hamilton two years ago and in that time has not travelled further afield than Ruatoria, about 60km away!

The Waihou Bay Motor Camp is officially closed but a couple of long term residents advised me that nobody owned one of the caravans on site, on finding it clean and tidy I moved into that for two nights. On Friday I hitched back to where I had been picked up from the day before and walked the 20km back. Once again it was all on SH35 except for a 2km stretch of beach. On the way I passed from the East Coast region to the Bay Of Plenty.

The first one km on Saturday was along the beach then back to SH35. As I passed a house in Waihou Bay a lady called out "Good on you" and started to clap. Presumably she had read the Opotiki News article. I thankfully had my pack taken on for the last 5km of the 23km for the day. I stayed at the Maraehako Backpackers. This is in a fabulous location, built right on the rocks alongside the ocean.

Sunday was an easy 15km walk to Te Kaha, made even easier by having my pack taken the whole way. There being no beds available at the Te Kaha Camping Grounds I pitched my tent for the first time for awhile.

There was lots of traffic on the road on Monday due to it being a public holiday. An hour out of Te Kaha I was invited in for a cup of tea by Martin & Marina who had just read about me. Their guests Vic & Barbara were heading home later that day and readily agreed to take my pack. Later I met them at the Motu River bridge and they gave me a ride to Hawai where I stayed in a backpackers room at the Motor Camp. The 27km for the day were once again all on SH35.

The first car I stuck my thumb out to on Tuesday morning took me back to the Motu River Bridge and I walked the 13km back to Hawai. After collecting my pack I then walked another 14km to Opape. I stayed at the small Opape Motor Camp. Beryl & Kevin and their son Perry gave me a cabin free of charge as Perry had read about me. Before I moved into the cabin they had to evict the current tenants, a mother cat and two young kittens.

Yesterday was an easy 15km, all on the beach, to Opotiki. After 2km I removed my boots to cross a stream and never put them back on until I left the beach 10km later. It was a beautiful day, I was off the road at last and walking in bare feet. It felt like I was on holiday!  Once again Gavin welcomed me to his home.

Im having a rest day today and catching up with a few chores. tomorrow I head for Whakatane which
should take about 3 days to reach.

East Cape Escapades

On outskirts of Gisborne

On Tuesday 1st October I left Gisborne along State Highway 35. The previous day I had been interviewed for an article in the Gisborne Herald. Before leaving on Tuesday I met Paul, their photographer, who took shots of me leaving Gisborne over the main river bridge. The article appeared in that afternoons edition. Of all the papers I have been in this was to prove to be the most helpful. Every second person I met over the next week had read the article and this resulted in offers of accommodation, my pack being taken on for me and other kindnesses.

The first 3.5km was along the main road. Once at Wainui I was on the beach and nice hard sand for the next 3.5 km. There is a nice gravel path up and over the headland to Makorori and another beach for 2km. Another 2km on the main road brought me to Tatpouri. I was told about a backpackers and although it was closed and usually only took bus parties I was allowed to stay. I'd walked just 13km that day and had a 21 bed backpackers all to myself.

Wainui Beach North of Gisborne

Wednesday was a fine hot day and I was soon down to wearing shirt and shorts. The first 5km was mostly along the beach. The next 18km were all alongside SH35 and I counted over 200 logging trucks between 7.50am and 2pm. Apart from being buzzed by magpies on two different occasions, nothing of note happened.

About 2pm a car stopped a long way past me,  and on catching up to them I was offererd a bed for the night at Anaura Bay. As the car was already full I would have to get myself there. At that stage I was only vaguely aware of where Anaura Bay is but gratefully accepted the offer. One of two Canadian WWOOF's in the car had just read about me in the paper and this prompted their host Judy, to stop and offer me a bed. More about this remarkable lady later.

I stuck my thumb out to the next car that came along and was given a ride to Tolaga Bay. Jackie the driver, who originally came from Anaura Bay (and had also read about me in the paper) then drove me 18km out of her way to Judy's place.

Judy, her 3 grandchildren and the 2 WWOOF's all made me welcome and on Thursday morning Judy drove me back to the main road where I hitched a lift back to where I'd been picked up from the previous day. I walked 13km into Tolaga Bay,with another 4km side trip to visit and walk along the Tolaga Bay Wharf.  While on the 600m wharf I was once again recognized from the newspaper article and later also in one of the shops. Finally walked 14km from Tolaga Bay to the Anaura Bay turnoff where I was able to hitch a ride back to Judy's place.
At 33km this was one of my bigger distances but made easier by not having my 26kg pack to carry.

Tolaga Bay Wharf

I had a day off from walking on Friday and spent the day weeding the path from the house to the beach. During the three nights I spent at Judy's place I got to know a little of her life. Aged 74 and suffering from Lymphoma, she had arrived back in NZ, from a 6 weeks European trip, the night before she picked me up. She spent that first night in Gisborne before collecting her three grandsons and the two WWOOFers and heading home. Already with a house full she then offered to put me up as well. On arriving home she found that someone had left her freezer door open and all her meat and berries had to be discarded and buried. The water intake from the local stream had blocked, the washing machine not working and the pantry over run with ants!! She took all this in her stride and would have to be one of the most resilient people I've met.

Judy and grandsons

Anaura Bay one of my favorite spots

I was off again on Saturday morning and Judy once again ran me to the main road for a 23km walk to Tokomaru Bay. Only 3km up the road I spoke to Joe who was up a ladder fixing the power supply to a house. He offered me a lift but agreed to take just my pack, which he left at the Tokomaru Bay Motor camp. Apart from speaking to a couple of Stop/Go men at roadworks it was a fairly ordinary road walk. On uplifting my pack I booked into a cabin at the Motor Camp. The cabin was clean and tidy but the rest of the camp is a dump!!

That night I received a phone call from a local who wanted to meet me. Jill had relocated an old schoolhouse to just outside Tokomaru Bay in the 1980's. The only road into it is over a long steep hill and it's easier to walk across a river and walk into town. So in the dark Jill forded the river and walked the 1.5km to meet me. She later took me to visit her friend Woody who had been looking after a Backpackers. That day new owners had taken over and given Woody instructions that, if I turned up, to give me free accommodation.

The next day I met the new owners Angus and Leeann who had renamed the backpackers "Lost In Paradise". I spent two nights there, the view is fabulous and in contrast to the Motor Camp everything  is spotless and organized. As it turned out we had met before, quite some months ago when we were all staying at the Waimarama Motor Camp.

Sunday was another day of walking on roads, firstly 12km up SH35 to Te Puia Springs then 6km by a back road to Waipiro Bay. I found a wallet lying in the grass alongside the road, it had no money in it but a number of credit cards etc. I assumed that it had been stolen, the money removed and discarded. I left it on a wall alongside the next mail box. I had lunch at Waipiro Bay then took another back road 8km back to SH35. Once there I texted Woody who came and collected me and took me back to "Paradise".

That morning, on the way out of town, I had visited Jill in her old schoolhouse. After fording the river I found her place and had a cuppa with her. A friend of hers is building a 70 tonne boat on her property. Initially he thought it would take him 3 years to build. The good news is that he expects to launch it next year .......... 25years later!!

It has taken 25 years to build this boat

I had a lazy day at "Lost In Paradise" on Monday and hitched a ride on Tuesday to where I'd left off on Sunday. I was picked up by Karen. a local teacher, who took me 12km out of her way. I headed up SH35 towards Ruatoria.  Karen had told me about a backpackers at Ruatoria which I had not heard of.  After 7km I was offered a ride by Judy, another teacher. As she was going into Ruatoria and then coming back the same way she agreed to drive me to the backpackers so that I could drop off my pack and then bring me back. The backpackers turned out to be an expensive Guesthouse. Once I'd picked myself up off the floor after being told the tariff I asked if I could pitch my tent. That was not possible but Leigh had read about me and gave me a room at half price " because of what your doing". Judy then took me back to where she had picked me up from. When I said I was surprised by the number of women who pick me up she told me that she had "prayed to god that you are a nice person"!

KFC on the coast!

That night, after walking the remaining 7km to the guesthouse, Leigh helped me to contact a local landowner to get permission to cross his land two days later.

Wednesday entailed walking 21km, once again alongside SH35, to Tikitiki. There being no accommodation there and it looked like being a wet night I hitched a ride to Te Araroa where I stayed at a backpackers in an old nunnery.

It took exactly 2 hours to hitch a ride back to Tikitiki on Thursday morning. Ian is the local painter and as he drove he told me interesting facts and stories. A few years ago he arranged to pick up the local District Nurse after she had run form Te Araroa to East Cape a distance of 20km. On Ian's arrival at East Cape there was no sign of the nurse. A police search ensued and next day her body was found in the sea. She had a broken neck. They think she tried to climb a bluff and slipped.

A backroad from Tikitiki led me to Rangitukia, a small settlement. A car passed me with the tailgate down and a teenager sitting on it. As it went past she yelled "Go brother you're walking the world" Then turning to those inside the car "he's the one walking New Zealand". Two people stopped to offer rides which was ironic since it had taken 2 hours to get a lift when I wanted one and now I was being offered them when I didn't ! Further up the road in the middle of nowhere I was greeted by a young and friendly goat who followed me 3 km s up the road and another 2 down a farm track. I finally managed to loose "George" when I went through a gateway and he couldn't get through. I could still hear his plaintive bleating several hundred metres up the track. After traveling with me so far I thought perhaps I should have given him one of my cards, with this blog address on it. But who knows how long before he could get to a computer and by then he would have probably eaten the card!

The farm track took me 5km across Haha Station to the beach. I only hope George found something to laugh about! Once on the beach I surprised a herd of cattle who took off running up the beach in the surf. After 4km of beach I crossed a paddock to reach the end of East Cape Road and the track to the lighthouse. I didn't need to count the steps as Ian had already told me there are 776. I surprised myself by walking to the top without stopping (I had hidden my pack at the bottom behind a building) . It had started to rain as I left the beach so it was a quick visit to the lighthouse and back down again. A further 4km of road walking took me to what is advertised as the East Cape Camping Ground. This is a serious misrepresentation as the campground consists of two derelict buildings, no running water, the grass not mown and the only amenity a long drop toilet. There is an honesty box here, with a charge of just $6. I thought about the lack of honesty in their advertising and for the first time did not pay. I thought $6 was a bit steep to use a longdrop!

Beef on the reef!

As it was getting late due to my 2 hour wait for a ride I had no choice but to stay there. I was therefore quite surprised that there were 4 vehicles with a total of 9 tourists also there. We lit a fire from driftwood and swapped stories. That night was the worst of my walk so far. Wind and rain continued on and off all night and one of my tent pegs came out causing the tent fly to blow back over the tent and for the first time I got water in the tent. My bag of clothes and my sleeping bag all got wet.

Next morning I trudged the 16km in the rain back to Te Araroa and the backpackers, had a shower, put on what dry clothes I had and rested the rest of the day.

Yesterday marked  a month since I had restarted walking and I set off early to try to get to Hamilton for a weeks rest. As there is no public transport from Te Araroa I left there at 6.45am and started hitchhiking. Three rides got me the 220km to Whakatane by 12 noon, in plenty of time to catch the 2pm bus to Hamilton. Unfortunately there was no 2pm bus and no more for the rest of the day. Two more rides got me to Tauranga by 2.15pm in plenty of time to catch the 3pm Hamilton bus.

So here I am for the next week, resting and eating and reflecting on all the wonderful, friendly people I have met so far on the East Coast. Im sure the Gisborne Herald article helped as it brought what I am doing to peoples attention. Fundamentally though I have discovered that there is an underlying generosity of spirit and friendliness that is more abundant amongst "coasters" than anywhere else I've walked so far.

In the last month I've walked 365km
Total North Island = 929km
Total both islands = 2665km

Gisborne Gadabout

Disused Gisborne Railway

Gisborne Car Park

Firstly Hi to Icy and Cedric & Sally, thanks for the comments you posted on this blog. I do enjoy receiving them.

I left Wairoa on Saturday 21st September after a pleasant stay at the Riverside Camp Ground.  I walked the first 2km up the main road, sans my large pack. Stu from the camp took it to where the road meets the railway line. From there I walked 6km along the disused railway to Tuhara then turned right towards the beach. My map showed a road to the beach but a farmer on a motorbike advised me that I would need to cross his land. Richard readily gave me permission and also offered me the use of his cabin at the beach. I had intended to walk further that day but a cabin is always better than my small tent.

The cabin was locked but a window was open so managed to open the door from the inside. I noticed a hole in the floor chewed by rats so covered it over to keep them out. Later that night I could hear them scratching and clawing but a bang on the floor or walls shut them up up for awhile. About 1am I noticed a shadow on the INSIDE of the window and realised that the scratching had been Mr Rat trying to get out not in! I uncovered the hole and a short time later heard it scrabble through the hole and never heard another thing for the rest of the night.

The next day, after waiting an hour for the rain to cease, I covered 18km, all on the beach. I camped in a sheltered spot not far from Nuhaka. On Monday I was away at 7.50am. the first 3km was on the beach but I had to head 1km inland to cross the Nuhaka River by a railway bridge. Just before the bridge I came to a deep side stream. A semi submerged fallen tree was the only way across. As it was I got wet to my waist but the day was hot and I soon dried out. I could have been a lot wetter, a side branch broke off in my hand as I was crossing and I nearly fell in.

I walked along the railway for 4km and then on the road for 5km. I had not seen anyone for two days and was short of water and refilled my water bottle from an outside tap at a house near the road. A short while later I came to a petrol station and bought myself an ice cream. The final stretch for the day was 3km along the beach to Mahia where I booked into the Motor Camp. The price of cabins was outside of my budget so I paid for a campsite.

The following day the forecast was for heavy rain and gale force winds so I had no choice but to book into a cabin for the next two nights. The owner Jacinda generously gave me two nights for the price of one. I spent the next two days reading, doing crosswords and watching the America's Cup yatch racing, on the camp TV, with two other couples staying at the camp, also sheltering from the storm, Sel & Jenny and Dale & Jenny. From the local shop I also picked up a copy of The Wairoa Star with an article and photo about my walk. One night I had a pub meal and John who cooked my meal recognised me from the article. World famous in Mahia!!!

On Thursday 26th September I walked 19km on roads and farm tracks. I had my raincoat and leggings on when I left Mahia but was down to shirt and shorts by the afternoon. I passed through Mahanga and got permission from Malcolm Rough to cross his farm. From there it was a steady climb for 6km until I reached a pine plantation. A gang of loggers was at work and I struggled through the thick mud past their work site. They advised me that there was a 2nd gang just down the road and they would let them know by radio that I was coming through. Shortly after passing the second gang I camped for the night alongside a disused house and old woolshed. A pleasant wind free spot complete with a longdrop!

Next morning I walked down Paritu Rd and after 2km a ute stopped and the driver offered me a ride. I declined but asked him to take my pack to the end of the road, a distance of 10km. It turned out that Shane had been in the 2nd gang I'd passed the day before and they did in fact receive a radio message about me. "Bear Grylls is coming through!! Just before the main road I collected my pack and refilled my water bottles. My map showed no houses on Paritu Rd but I saw 13 people by the time I had reached the end. Next it was 3km along State Highway 2 and finally another 8km along the railway track. Total walked that day was 23km. At that point I stepped out onto the road and, as a van was coming put my thumb out, the van stopped and within 30 seconds of leaving the track I was in the van and on my way to Gisborne. Once there I booked into the YHA.

On Saturday I hitched back to where I had left off the day before and walked another 10kms along the rail tracks and crossed the rail bridge over the Waipaoa River. I then followed the stop banks to the beach. I had the choice of following the beach, a road or a 4wd track for the final 8km into Gisborne. I chose the track. I was shocked at the amount of rubbish dumped along this track. The worst I have seen since I started my walk. When I reached Gisborne I stopped to read an inscription on a statue and heard someone say my name. I had met Sel and Jenny at Mahia, so we had a catch up. They are an Australian couple who have been travelling in NZ since last December. To celebrate reaching Gisborne I shouted myself a bottle of wine.

I had yesterday off and today am doing some chores, updating blog, shopping and being interviewed by the local paper. Tomorrow I head off again, this time to go around East Cape. As there are few accessible beaches, that join up, or tracks, I will mostly be walking on the road.

Total km walked so far = 166 since restart 2 weeks ago. 730 North Island and 2466 in total.

Unfortunately I left my camera behind at the hostel so pictures will have to wait.

Wairoa Wanderings

Wairoa River mouth near where I left the beach to hitch into Wairoa..

My bus departed Hamilton last Saturday at 10am, with me on board, but I was destined not to leave Hamilton until 3pm! The bus broke down 10minutes later and we were all decamped to the footpath. An hour and 20 minutes later a mechanic arrived, he was unable to fix the problem and we were put aboard another bus and taken back to the bus station about noon. We were told that a replacement bus was being sent from Auckland. When it arrived  at 1.30pm those of us travelling to Napier and due to change buses at Taupo were advised to wait for the next direct service to Napier at 3pm! I finally arrived in Napier at 8.05pm, friends Bev & Chris collected me and took me home for a delayed dinner.

On Sunday Bev and Chris drove me to the end of Aropanui Rd where I had permission from Ron, the owner of Glendale Station to walk across his land. This was where I had walked to in March, before returning to Hamilton with a sore foot. After saying farewell to Bev and Chris it was a long hard struggle uphill. I had weighed my pack that morning at 26kg. It rained an hour after I started and I had to put on my raincoat and new leggings. Having done no training this time around I intended to take it easy for the first few days and only did 6km that first day. I camped on the coast at Ridgemount having seen nobody. I did see lots of sheep, goats, geese and one very dead very bloated pig! As it was dark by 6.20pm, I was in my tent and in my sleeping bag by that time!

On Monday I did 12km along the beach, the first 5km of which involved lots of clambering over rocks. Later it was all hard sand and easy walking. Towards the end there was a mass of tree debris washed up on the shore. The Waikari River proved to be too deep and fast to wade across so I decided to camp alongside it and try to cross at low tide next morning. At that stage I had seen nobody since Bev and Chris had dropped me off the day before. Later that afternoon I was sitting in my tent reading when I heard an engine. Thinking that it might be a boat, I got out of the tent and discovered it was a plane flying over. While watching the plane I saw a man walking on the beach. Allan had rowed down river from a campsite upstream. We sat chatting for quite awhile and he told me about the many different and diverse careers he had during his working life. Now "nearly 80" he is long retired. He agreed to row me across the river the next morning as he was planning on returning to do some fishing.

About 7am on Tuesday, Allan rowed me across the Waikari River. Shortly after I got wet feet crossing another shallower stream. I walked along hard sand all day until I got to the Mohaka River, where I  walked up roads and crossed the river bridge. There is a camping ground at Mohaka but it was locked up and there was no sign of anybody being around. After filling my water bottles at a house, I spent a miserable night camped above the beach, with the tent flapping in the wind. Total walked for the day was 11km.

I was away at 7.20am on Wednesday. An initial scramble along the steep banks of the Mohaka River brought me back to the beach. The beach was ideal for walking, nice hard sand and no rocks. All day I walked under steep cliffs and it looked like that, at high tide, the sea washed against the cliffs. Just before the Wairoa River mouth the cliffs finished and I followed a road for a short way. After walking 19km that day I  hitched a lift into Wairoa. The young family, who picked me up, drove out of their way to drop me at the Riverside Motor Camp, where I booked into their backpackers dorm for 3 nights.

I'd have to say that this is the cleanest camp I've been in so far! Bill and Sharon made me very welcome.  It was great to spend a night in bed again and the two others sharing the dorm, Howard and Derrick assured me I didn't snore too loudly!

Yesterday (Thursday) Bill the camp owner drove me back out to where I had hitched from and I walked the 7km back into town alongside the Wairoa River. I spent the rest of the day trying to get information about my route ahead. I was also interviewed by the local newspaper, the Wairoa Star.

I'm having a rest day today. After a leisurely start to the day I posed for a photo to go with the newspaper article and then walked into town to update this blog. This afternoon I intend to curl up with a book. Tomorrow morning I head north again.

So far I have felt no adverse affects in my feet, legs and back and I am hopeful of continued good health. I may not be able do another post here until I reach Gisborne, in about 10 days or so.

Total walked since restart on Sunday is 55km.
Total North Island to date = 620km
Grand total = 2356km.

On The Road (Beach) Again

63rd Birthday 

Over the past few months I have been back in Hamilton with Charissa for the winter to allow my foot to fully recover. However, I have not been idle. During the week, I have been doing casual work for Tradestaff and on weekends, selling at street markets, fairs and swapmeets. The work for Tradestaff was varied: landscaping, painting, stock taking, stacking pallets, store man, plant nursery and construction work. The shortest period of work was half a day and the longest 6 weeks.

Thanks to Rebecca Lee of Jade Acupuncture in Hamilton, my foot quickly recovered and I have had no pain for some months. Rebecca advised me to rest the foot for 3 months and since then I have been waiting for the weather to improve.

On Saturday, I travel to Napier and on Sunday 15th of September, I restart walking from where I left off which is about 30km north of Napier.This time I have not done any training in preparation but I plan to take it easy for the first few days and gradually increase the amount of time walking each day, using that as my training.

On my last day of walking earlier this year, I could not get around a headland as the sea was too deep at that point to wade around and the cliff too steep to climb. I have permission from the farmer to walk across his land so my first 6km will be up a farm track.

My next post will likely be from Wairoa in about 10 days time.

Spirit Willing - Body Weak

         

Friends Bev & Chris in Napier. They loaned me a car, ferried me around and provided a base for me to come and go fro

Total distance Walked since November 2011 = 2301km.  Total North Island 565km.


Sad to tell you that I am now having to take the winter off to allow my foot to recover.  Two weeks after restarting at Porangahau my foot again started to play up and I have now returned to Hamilton. I will take at least 3 months off and return to the walk in July or August. I am again having acupuncture which is has already relived most of the aching.

After a couple of days rest in Napier my friend Chris dropped me off in Clifton and I walked 24 easy kms into Napier. Most of the journey was along crushed limestone paths plus a little beach walking. Once back in Napier I called at the local i-site to gather information about the coast ahead. They proved to be totally useless, not even having a map of the coast! The local DOC office proved more helpful and I learned that the coastal walkway I had hoped to take has been closed for some years due to landslides and erosion.

The following day I walked 26km to Tongoio, most of the way was once again along crushed gravel paths past Ahuriri, Westshore & Bayview. Once past Bayview I took rough tracks and reverted to the beach where necessary. After crossing the Esk River I walked past Whirinaki and crossed another river. From there it was along the beach to Tongoio. Two km of road walking then brought me to the main road. After half an hour of putting my thumb out I was picked up by Lou, a local wool buyer, who took right to where I was staying at Bev & Chris's home.

I had another day off and on Sunday Bev & Chris dropped me off  at Tongoio about 9.30am.
Only walked 8km that day due to a very rocky coastline and carrying my big pack. The rocks in this area have lots of shell fossils embedded in them which makes them very sharp. I slipped at one stage and received impressive looking grazes to both legs and one arm. While they looked impressive and received lots of comments in the days to come they were only superficial and soon healed. Occasionally I was able to get above the rocks and walk on sheep tracks and 10 minutes from Waipatiki Beach I followed a track to the Motor Camp. I stayed in my tent that night at the camp. I did not get much sleep that night due partly to my aching foot and the scratches to my legs.

Before leaving the next day I spoke with a Hawaiian couple who have a fruit farm in Hawaii and a home in Havelock North. Later they overtook me on the 3.5km track to Aropaoanui. Met up with them again there and left them exploring the beach. From there I followed parts of the abandoned Coastal Walkway but large portions have fallen into the sea and I had to walk in the sea a few times. After a couple of hours I came to a spot that I could not get past as the waves were crashing off the rocks and the cliff was too steep to climb. As it was only 2 hours after low tide it seemed unlikely that I would get past even had I tried at low tide. I reluctantly returned to Aropaoanui  where I camped for the night. After walking for 13km I was only 3.5km further north! That evening I walked to a local farmhouse and received permission to cross their farm the next day along a farm track which would bring me out on the coast north of the cliff.

The following morning after another restless night with my foot continuously aching I made the decision to return to Hamilton to seek treatment. I returned the 3.5 km along the coast to Waipatiki and hitchhiked from there back into Napier. After spending another night with Bev & Chris I caught the bus to Hamilton.

Four treatments of acupuncture has seen my foot improve and I only have a small amount of aching now. I have been advised to give my foot a good rest.  I will try to get temporary work over the winter and return to walking after the worst of the winter is over.

Back On My Feet

What was the longest place name in the world (until I created a longer one)

Peter &Cocoa. peter and his wife Michelle provided me with accommodation and took my pack 15km.

Natural stone arches near Cape Kidnappers

Gannet Colony - Cape Kidnappers

Looking back towards Cape Kidnappers

Total distance walked since November 2011 = 2226km. Total North Island = 490km

I caught a bus to Napier on Monday 11th March and stayed the night with friends Bev & Chris. They have been brilliant hosts and loaned me Chris's fishing wagon as well as ferrying me around.

On Tuesday I drove to Porangahau to Peter & Michelle Haynes place. Peter had picked me up when, I hitchhiked out with a sore foot, a few weeks ago and had offered me accommodation when I returned. On the way I drove a short side trip to visit the spot with the worlds longest name.
Here goes:

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipuakaapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

82 letters long and translated means "The hilltop where Tamatea, with big knees, conqueror of mountains,eater of land, traveller over land and sea,played with his kaouau (flute) to his beloved'

After meeting Michelle and having a cup of tea Peter drove me up Cooks Tooth Road to where I had previously left off walking. I renamed this spot and it is now the newest longest place name in the world.

Theveryspotwhereerichadtostopwalkingbecauseofaverysorefootonhisepicwalkfromblufftocapereinga-
andwherehelaterresumedwalkingfromafteraccupuncturehadfixedhisfoot

If there are any sign writers reading this who would like to sponsor me by erecting a sign on the above spot, please contact me.

It didn't take long to walk the 7km and I then drove to Blackhead to check out my route for the next couple of days. Later back at Peter& Michelle's place Bev & Chris came out after work and picked up their car.

On Wednesday I walked 20km, first along a sealed road and then a metal road, as the coast is too rocky to walk around. Peter brought my pack to me and met me on the road after 15km. After another 5km I met a man coming out of a paddock and I enquired about accommodation in shearers quarters. He took my pack on to the next farm where Ron said that the owner was away for a few hours but thought it would be OK if I stayed in an outside room behind his house. Later he introduced me to Jane the bosses wife who at first appeared disgruntled and taken aback that a hobo had taken up residence. She later warmed to the idea and provided me with a couple of apples. The next morning Ron provided me with a cooked breakfast and Jane's husband James offered to take my pack 12km into Blackhead.

I arrived at Blackhead on the coast at 10am and James delivered my pack an hour later. After two hours of walking on good hard sand I arrived at Pourerere (having walked past Aromona). I introduced myself to the camp custodian Dick and he agreed to sponsor me by providing a caravan for the night. I spent a comfortable night and Dick was able to give me directions for the next day.

On Friday it was 21km up the beach to Kairakau. Some good hard sand and also some slow rock bits. Due to carrying my pack it was quite slow going in the heat. Sometimes I was taking a 10minute break after 20 minutes walking. Two Km from my destination I met Peter & Robyn picnicking on the beach with their granddaughter. They had the whole sandy beach to themselves. Peter took my photo and agreed to carry my pack to the camping ground. The camp itself was very basic, although they charged top dollar. After asking several people I finally got good info on the next days walk. Viviene, a local gave me the use of her phone and I called Nigel from Te Apiti Station who happily gave me permission to walk through the Station to join up two no exit roads.

Saturday was another 21km, on roads and vehicle tracks, to Waimarama. After 5km John and Neil took my pack 2km to Te Apiti Station. After meeting the manager Nigel, it was a very hot walk along a vehicle track for 5km. Just as I came out onto the road again I met Brett exiting his lifestyle block to head into Waimarama and he agreed to take my pack.  On arrival at the camping ground I set up my tent near the kitchen and alongside a covered BBQ area. Big mistake! Later that night 5 young people, not staying at the camp, decided it was a great place for a party. My polite request for them to move on was greeted by derision and abuse. They did move on but as they moved away they were talking loudly about the person who had dared interrupt their fun. I heard one of the girls suggest that they return and "do something to his tent". I was awake for ages after that but nothing untoward happened and I eventually got to sleep. Next morning when I reported the incident to the camp manager he told me that the young people were relatives of his. Congratulations Waimarama, this is the only place I've ever had any problems since setting out!

On Sunday it was a short 8km walk up the beach to Ocean Beach, mostly good hard sand but I had to walk in the sea a couple times as I was too impatient to wait for the tide to recede. Chris and Bev, picked me up from the Ocean Beach and drove me back to Napier. On the way they took me to Clifton to get information about walking around Cape Kidnappers.

I drove back to Ocean Beach in Chris's wagon on Monday. I didn't start walking until 11am because of the tides. After 8km of sandy beach a rocky headland obstructed my way. I explored a dry stream bed through a canyon which only took me inland so returned to the beach and waited for the tide to recede. Getting impatient I then scaled a steep hill and walked North until I found a way back down to the beach. While descending the hill I saw more skinks that I have seen in the entire journey so far.
More sandy beaches interspersed with rocky outcrops, which required wading in the sea to get around, eventually brought me to Cape Kidnappers (famous for its Gannet Colonies). Here I had to climb another steep hill, on top of which is the main Gannet Colony. As I had been there before I didn't linger long and found the coastal walkway to Clifton. As I had arranged for Chris & Bev to pick me up after work I  walked the remaining 9km in an hour and a quarter. On the way I saw several other walkers and a tractor, with two trailers full of passengers, all going out to view the Gannets. Chris & Bev then drove me back to Ocean Beach to retrieve their car.

Yesterday and today have been rest days. I am pleased to report that my feet and legs are all feeling good with only a small amount of stiffness so I'm looking forward to the next section. Tomorrow I will walk the remaining 24km from Clifton to Napier. On Friday I then start walking north from Napier.

Needles & Pins

My left foot - with acupuncture needles

My left knee

I returned to Hamilton 5 weeks ago with a sore foot. Initially I just rested it, in the hope it would get better on its own. While it was a little better after two weeks, I accepted the offer of acupuncture from Dr Rebecca Lee of Jade Acupuncture in Hamilton. I am pleased to report that after 12 sessions, it is now fully recovered.

Rebecca is a skilled Acupuncturist, which she has taught in her native Taiwan. I was initially a little nervous about letting someone stick needles in me but she has studied and learnt how to keep the pain levels low. The remarkable thing was that I had noticeable improvements in my foot after each treatment. If you are in Hamilton NZ and in pain, give Rebecca a call at Jade Acupuncture (07 838 0171).

On Monday I am booked on the bus to Napier where I will spend the night with friends Bev & Chris and on Tuesday return to Porangahau and resume walking on Wednesday.

Over the past 5 weeks I have I have been resting and eating and have put on any weight I had lost walking from Wellington and am eager to resume walking.

Since starting my walk in November 2011 I have walked a total of 2106 km, 371 of that in the North Island. All going to plan I should be able to place another report in about 10 days and add another 120 km to the tally.

While we are on the subject of statistics, there has now been over 10,000 views of this blog. Incredible! Currently averaging about 50 views a day. Amazing!

The Wairarapa Experience

Honeycomb Rock, near Glenburn Station

Long drop, Flat Point

The sudden appearance of a boat saved me a wet river crossing.

Near Castlepoint

Castlepoint

Paul rowed me across the river

Looking back towards Awitio

Since my last post I have continued to walk the coast of Wairarapa, where I have been treated with only kindness by the locals. On Monday 21st January I left Tora & walked 24km to Pohaoa on beaches and well graded vehicle tracks. Jenny from Tora very kindly went 20km out of her way to take my pack as far as she could before running out of tracks near the  Rerewhakaaitu River .  After uplifting my pack I had some tricky rocks to get around and then up a beach to Pohaoa where I spent the night in my tent in a private camping area. There were a couple of bach's and 5 caravans on site but not a soul around.

Shortly after setting off next morning I met a local fisherman who gave me advice about where to cross the Pohaoa River, which he told me would be knee high. In actual fact the water came up to my nipples!  The water was not fast flowing so no problems except some items in my pack got wet. Arrived at Glenburn Station after 15km for the day.  They employ a number of wwoofers on this sheep station, mainly to help out with servicing of the holiday homes. I stayed two nights and clipped a hedge and painted stable windows to pay for my keep. There were 4 German wwoofers who had been there a week, Sandra & Tim, Tito & Neeco, who all made me welcome and impressed me with the amount of food they eat in one sitting! Helen & John the owners of the station with the help of the wwoofers keep the place looking clean and tidy, with all of the buildings looking spick and span and no junk lying around.

On Thursday I set off thinking I would be carrying my pack all day but after 2km John came down the road and took my pack 5km. After collecting my pack I turned off onto Flat Point road and after 1km met Jay from Flat Point Station who took my pack on a further 5km. After a short farm track I followed the rocky beach for 6km and set up my tent beside the Kaiwhata River.

Friday was a big day of 25km most of it with the pack. Started off by walking 4km inland to Homewood Road. Ten Kilometers of road then brought me back to the beach. Two young lads took my pack for 1km along the beach. I later met up with them at the local dairy at Riversdale where I had enquired about camp sites.  Apparently the only public campsite closed down several years ago. A friend of the 2 boys appeared and saved the day by taking me to his grandparents, Zella & Patty, who manage a Children's Christian Adventure Camp. They happily gave me a bed in one of the dorm rooms. As I was the only person staying I had an en-suite bathroom with a choice of 2 toilets!

Saturday was another big day of 26km with the pack to Castlepoint, mostly along the beach. After 9km I came to the Whareama River which was quite deep and wide. I had seen nobody all morning and the river was deserted when I arrived. While checking out my options of where to walk across the river a boat appeared coming down river.  Responding to my waves the fishermen aboard gladly took me across the river.  The final section before Castlepoint was quite rocky and I had to walk in the sea a couple of times to get around. Then it was a very steep climb up a hill and down into Castlepoint.

I stayed at the Castlepoint Holiday Park for 3 nights and the manager Kerry happily sponsored me by not charging for my tent site. Over the previous two days I had developed a dull ache in my left heel so I stayed off my feet as much as possible while there. On the Monday I was interviewed by the Wairarapa Times Age newspaper and a good article and photo of me appeared in the Wednesdays edition. While walking near Riversdale I had found a lifejacket washed up on the beach and I received phone calls from the family of a fisherman, who had gone missing near Tora, and the local police. As it turned out it the lifejacket did not belong to the missing fisherman. While in Castlepoint I also met up again with Gordon the mailman, who had taken my pack to Ngawi, while he was on holiday in Castlepoint.

Because of my sore foot I had several days of short distances. On Tuesday I walked 11km up the beach to Mataikona. Ian the local mailman took my pack there and left it at the home of a local resident, Willie. On arrival at Willie's house he invited me in for a cup of tea and this turned into an invitation to stay the night. Willie, who has twice broken his neck, lives with his son Graham. We had fresh fish for dinner caught by Graham that day. Willie phoned Scott the manager of Owahanga Station and got permission for me to walk over their land the next day. He also arranged for a friend of his, Paul, to show me where to cross a river.

On Wednesday morning Willie took my pack to the start of the beach and I walked 12km to Owahanga. Fortuitously I met Scott after 9km and he took my pack the final 3km to Paul's place.
I stayed at Paul's place that night and accompanied him to a meeting at the local pub. On Thursday morning Paul rowed me across the river and I walked 10km to Akitio. Paul had arranged for Gonzo, a friend of his, to leave my pack at Bill and Diane's place. I was once again invited to stay and spent the night in a caravan at the back of the house. That evening I shared a BBQ dinner, beer and darts with Bill and Diane's house guests, 4 bank managers. Bill has 7 NZ darts titles to his name and a shelf in their bar area was crowded with trophies.

I set off on Friday morning expecting to carry my pack the whole 21km to Herbertville. However after 3km at Akitio Station I met up with Gonzo who offered to take my pack to the back boundary, 12km away!  I walked the 12km up a well graded farm road and found my pack. While eating lunch a Logging Contractor came along who agreed to take my pack into Herbertville. The final 6km was along the beach. We had been experiencing 30 c degree days recently and this day was no exception. Wherever possible I wetted my bandana and placed it under my sun hat. Diane
had phoned the custodians of the Herbertville camp to let them know I would be staying. On arrival the custodians, Pam & Hugh  provided me with a caravan free of charge for 2 nights.

Hugh & pam arranged for my pack to be taken onto my next destination, Porangahau, by another camper. They had also phoned and gained permission for me to walk through Tautane Station. As I was not quite sure where the farm track actually went I hope the staff at the station will forgive me for waking their dogs at 7.15am on a Sunday morning! I got temporaily lost trying to follow a paper road across the station and a 3km segment turned into 6km. The rest of the day was on roads. As my foot was still giving me problems I hitched the remaining 12km after walking 23km for the day. My pack had been left at the Porangahau pub and I bought a beer when I arrived to collect it. Talking to a couple of locals resulted in an offer of a ride 5km to the camp ground and a freshly caught blue cod from another!

On arrival at the camping ground it took me 3/4 hour  to find the manager Don, to check in. Don provided me with a cabin, at half price, for the night.

I had been due to return to Hamilton later this week for a few days off but because of my foot decided to head back early.  I arrived back here on Monday night after leaving Porangahau at 6.50am and hitch hiking to Taupo from where Charissa picked me up. I will rest my foot for a few days and once it is better return to Porangahau, where I have been offered accommodation from one of the people I hitched a lift with, and resume walking.