Monday 13.02.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 1871km + 29km
• Official kms: 29km
• Garmin kms: 29.52km
• Total time: 6:48
• Calories burned: 2142
• Body battery: 9/10
• Accommodation: Aunty Briars
• Tent nights tally: 14
• Zero days had so far: 16

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

Back on the trail today, not the official trail but a detour to avoid cyclone Gabriel.

We were ready to go at 7:45 am. Auntie Briar drove me to the Hackett car park where I started at 8:30 am

The first 10 km was on tar seal Road all the way along Aniseed valley road . It was pretty monotonous walking. But I seemed to get through it pretty quickly.

About 5 km before Brightwater, I got in touch with Nathan, the owner of Foursquare. I asked if he was going to be around because it would be awesome to catch up with him.

He said he had a meeting to attend & was planning to leave around 11:30am but could wait til 11:45am. At this point I picked up the pace to ensure I would make it in time. Luckily I got there at 11:30am. It was great to catch up & what an awesome looking Foursquare! Great store, great staff! And an awesome lunch! Thanks Nathan.

After eating lunch, I took off on the great taste bike trail which goes to Wakefield & keeps you off the road for this section.

This lead me straight to Wakefield Foursquare, where in this heat I stopped for a bottle of coke & an ice cream, calling this an early afternoon tea break & my second break for the day.

After finishing my drink & ice cream I set off to finish the final 6+kms leading me down eighty eight valley road.

I messaged Aunty B to let her know I would be ready for a pick up around 3pm, my aim was to get at least 27km done which I exceeded. 29.5km later & Aunty B had picked me up.

After getting back I had a quick shower & then was off down the road to catch up for a beer with Marko who’s in Nelson waiting for the bad weather to pass before re entering the Richmond ranges.

After a beer I walked back to Aunty Briars who had started an amazing dinner! After this it was time to relax & I’m looking forward to sleeping in for another zero tomorrow!