Monday 30.01.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 1643.5km
• Official kms: 15.5km
• Garmin kms: 16.59km
• Total time: 4:35
• Calories burned: 1441
• Body battery: 6/10 slept badly last night.
• Accommodation: cabin at holiday park.
• Tent nights tally: 14
• Zero days had so far: 12

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

Track me live here:

https://aus-share.explore.garmin.com/curtiss

I had such a restless sleep last night. It was so hot & I felt uncomfortable. I think I didn’t fall asleep until after 11pm & I woke just before 7am.

Mike is driving up this morning so I’m going to hang around the accommodation until he turns up & then it should be a fairly easy 15km stroll to Paekakariki where I have a cabin booked for the night.

At around 8:30am the fire evacuation alarm went off & the whole of the campground had to evacuate & meet at the fire evacuation points. This was just a drill but was a bit disruptive.

I managed to be packed & checked out by 9:30am & sat near reception as I knew Mike wasn’t far away. He turned up about 10 minutes later & after a quick catch up we started.

The first part of the trail followed the river out to the estuary then onto the beach where Kapiti island was right there in plain view (I’ve been seeing this island from on top of the mountains for days!)

We walked down the beach until we reached Paraparaumu & went up off the beach to grab a coffee. As well as some stuff from the bakery for lunch.

Walking a further 3km down the beach we came across a toilet & picnic table so we sat there for lunch. I had a very nice carrot & oat muffin. It wasn’t long before we set off again to complete the final 5kms for today.

We reached the holiday park about 2:30pm I checked in & then Mike & I walked a further 2km into the main town centre where I purchased stuff for tomorrow’s breakfast & lunch. Mike then caught an Uber back to his car to go home get stuff & come back for dinner & stay in a cabin for the night himself as he’s rejoining me tomorrow.

I managed to have an hours nap as I was shattered from lack of sleep last night, sleeping from 4 to 5pm.

When Mike returned about 6pm we went into Paraparaumu for pizza. It was pretty good & I finished the whole thing!

Tomorrow I have a 28km day to my accommodation, Mike is going to join me but see how he copes, whether he does the whole 28km or just part of.

The end of the North island is in my sites…..