• Te Araroa kilometres done: 1191
• Official kms: 27.5km
• Garmin kms: 28.29km
• Total time: 7:49
• Calories burned: 2403
• Body battery: 8/10
• Accommodation: Campervan at Trail angels
• Tent nights tally: 10

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/walking-te-araroa-3000km-for-the-key-to-life

This morning we are leaving National park at 8am & walking 27km to Sharon’s place (trail angels). Without amazing people like Sharon, the Te Araroa would not be possible for most.

Trail angels can offer as little or as much as somewhere to pitch your tent & toilet facility to a bed, shower a meal & a lift & much more all for a Koha (donation) they are usually right beside the track, some aren’t & will come pick you up from a trail end. It is definitely a part of the trail & is always amazing to meet these generous, caring people.

Before leaving this morning I stepped out of our accommodation & only 20 metres away was an amazing breakfast & coffee cart. I had to get a Flat white to start my morning off.

We set off just after 8am. It wasn’t long before Marko had caught up to the back of us. He looked like a new man after having shaved a day back.

Next came Frank & then Kevin, Nici & Michael.

After a few kilometres we managed to catch back up to Marko, Frank & Michael who had earlier gone ahead, they were having a break, so we sat down & joined them, the views here were amazing.

This part of the track was spectacular & I was glad Antonia was here with me to see what the good parts are all about.

We spent the first half of the day playing leap frog with the Tramily as they were having breaks etc. At around 12.30pm we decided it was time for lunch. At this point Kévin, Ayumi & Nichola had caught up & joined us for a lunch break.

After lunch we had an 11km gravel road walk to do, Antonia’s feet were suffering through this & to make matters worse, the heavens opened up & we got soaked. It was at this point we just walked until we got to the trail angels, where we had previously booked their campervan, this was only $30 each, with use of the toilet & shower, wifi as well as breakfast included. Pretty good deal really.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing & getting ready for tomorrow. Antonia is considering hitching tomorrow to make it easier on her as she is nursing 6 blisters! I don’t blame her & think this is probably a good idea. I will walk the 25km & see her down there.

I probably won’t be able to post a blog for a few days as we are about to spend 1 day walking to the Whanganui river & 5 days Canoeing down it with little to no reception.

Stay tuned…..