Thursday 02.02.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done:1715.3km
• Official kms: 13km
• Garmin kms: 14.10km
• Total time: 3:37
• Calories burned: 1184
• Body battery: 8/10
• Accommodation: Mikes place
• 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

North island complete!!!!

Mike dropped me in town this morning as I stopped yesterday outside his car park. From here today there is only 13kms to go!

Not your typical trail start as I was weaving through hordes of people in the Main Street of town until I got out to the waterfront.

The trail followed the coastline for a few kilometres walking past Te Papa & other iconic Wellington landmarks.

Not long after, the trail headed up as it does, then shouldered Mt Victoria. I would have gone off course to the top but I have been there before.

The whole trail today followed pink markers that is known in Wellington as the Southern walkway. Which had two small climbs before descending down to the Southern coast.

After gaining the coastline I text my mate Lindsay to let him know I was about 25 minutes away, he text back to let me know he was already there waiting for me.

Lindsay walked the last couple of 100 metres with me to the finish line. Such a big milestone to reach the end of the North island!

Lindsay then drove me back into town where we had lunch & caught up. He also drove me to bivouac where I got a replacement air mattress! That’s right they have swapped my dud air mattress for a brand new one! After Lindsay ran me around to a few places he dropped me off back to Mikes where I got a load of washing done & just had a chilled afternoon.

I’m having the next 3 days off & catching the Ferry on Saturday where I get to see Antonia & our dogs! Really looking forward to that.

Just the 1310kms of South Island to go. Bring on the next stage!!!