Friday, Saturday & Sunday 3/4/5.02.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 0
• Official kms: 0
• Garmin kms: 0
• Total time: 0
• Calories burned: 0
• Body battery: 10/10. Lots of rest, spending time with my wife & our doggies.
• Accommodation: Mikes then 2 nights in Airbnb Picton.
• Tent nights tally: 14
• Zero days had so far: 15

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Having Friday, Saturday & Sunday off the trail has been very relaxing. Unfortunately I couldn’t change my Cook straight Ferry crossing from Saturday afternoon to any earlier so I felt like I was just killing time in Wellington until I arrived in Picton on Saturday night. Although I think my body appreciates it!

Friday was a very chilled day & I pretty much did nothing all day, just a bit of Netflix & then having a few drinks with Mike in the evening.

Saturday morning was similar, just packing & then Mike & I went to Lower Hutt for lunch before I went & waited at the Ferry terminal for my 3:45pm sailing. I spent the afternoon making videos & catching up & completing the North island section of this.

Antonia spent most her day driving up Saturday to Picton with our dogs to spend 2 nights with me! I’m so grateful, such a big trip for her & also the dogs!

After disembarking the Ferry just before 8pm & collecting my pack, Antonia was waiting for me just outside. I was so happy to see her & also our dogs waiting in the car.

We grabbed our takeaway dinner that we had preordered for 7:30 (half an hour late) & headed back to the Airbnb we have booked for the next 2 nights.

I spent Sunday morning supermarket shopping after Antonia & I went out for breakfast. Then it was back to the accommodation to sort the next 3 legs of the journey. Food for the Queen Charlotte, food from the end of there to Hackett hut & then food for the rest of the Richmond ranges.

At around 3pm we met Lester at the Queen Charlotte tavern had a beer then we went to his Bach to drop off the last two lots of food. He will drop the Richmond ranges food drop to Aunty Briars for when I come out of Hackett hut.

We then went back to Picton, had a nice dinner at the Thai restaurant, amazing meal & definitely recommend.

After getting back we sat around chatting then it was time for bed. Lester & I start the Queen Charlotte tomorrow morning & Antonia heads home with the dogs. I can’t wait to see them again in 3 weeks!