Saturday 22.04.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 3026.5km
• Official kms: 23.5km
• Garmin kms: 23.03km
• Total time: 4:53
• Calories burned: 1705
• Body battery: 7/10
• Accommodation: The Quest Invercargill
• Tent nights tally: 19
• Zero days had so far: 34

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. If you have enjoyed my blogs & if you are able to, please donate to the cause below.

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

Today is the last day! Mixed emotions but mainly thankful that I’m completing it.

Dad drove me to pick Lester up & we were at the drop off point at 8:30am. This morning it’s raining but I can’t be bothered putting my raincoat on. It’s awesome having Lester’s company for the final day.

The trail was a nice track alongside the road for the 1st 16km & we seemed to pump it out in no time. About 10km in Tim from the local Foursquare stopped to congratulate me & welcome me to Bluff. He also has a pot of Bluff oysters waiting for me at his store. Legend Tim!

Sharon who works at Trents down here & is a member of the local Rotary joined in at the 15km point & is walking the final 8km or so with us.

At 16km we got to the famous Bluff monument. I had to get a photo here! From this point the trail leaves the roadside & heads South around the Bluff hill through grass & rock for the 1st few kilometres.

Definitely some beautiful scenery here. You can see right across to Stewart island!

The last 4 kilometres was on really good track in the scrub & we were then able to see Stirling point from about 400 metres away. We could also see friends & family waiting to cheer us on at the end.

Such an amazing feeling to finish it & to have such an amazing team at the end cheering me on.

We all celebrated with champagne, I sat & watched/read the amazing messages from family & friends that Antonia had collected. I just want to thank everyone that has supported me through this journey. There are too many of you to name, but you have made this journey amazing for me & together we have made a difference!

All that’s left now is to go & collect my pot of oysters (thanks Bluff Foursquare!) & celebrate with family & friends.