Waikato-King Country

Highlight:Brunching with friends, so good to catch up! A revisit to the Riverside Kitchen for a big breakfast. My eye's bigger than my belly, with only one (1/2)

Highlight:A surpise from Mum, waiting at the Huntly train station. We then drive to the power station to my Te Araroa connection point, avoilding unnessarcy admin/logistic extra km.

Highlight: I've got to say, I was so happy to find the perfect little spot for my tent. Challenge:Today was a low photo day, due to operator error of

Highlight: Wide track, soft ground and easy km are a far contrast to other parts of Te Araroa. I crossed paths with the bike packer I had meet. He had

Highlight:One of joys of trail life this time round was naturally waking early, getting a chuck of walking done before the sun heated up, and taking a long lunch

Highlight: Another long lunch today, a call to Trent, a book read and sleep. I awoke after an unknown amount of time, to the breeze in the trees. Weather was

Highlight:Ice coffee, river swim and clean washing! Without a cooker, pot or gas in my pack this time round I was trialing the no prep food option that Trent

A few days ago I decided it was the right time to continue my Te Araroa journey. With a new job starting in 3 weeks I had time and security

Highlight:Pick up was pretty well timed. F oot abit sore from too tight/too loose shoe laces (and walking all day). It was nice to see our pick up

Highlight:Trail angel, hot shower, afternoon nap. Trent had recommended that we carry on and make tomorrow a shorter day. I had already let Casey we were on our way,

Highlight:Shelter and a hut. Complete with a foot wash station! At 'standard' hut $5/night price this feels like pretty good value. Challenge:The track took a little bit

Highlight:Whānua support again is the best part of the day. However it is quickly running out, as Trent moves north and out of the Waikato. And with the long

Highlight:Today we were greeted by Mum, Becs, and Moana-Rose at Taitau Arboretum. While the official Te Araroa trail takes the mountain bike track and scoots around the out side,

Highlight: Down hill! Starting the day on top of a mountain meant it was going to be a net down hill day. I'm loving the light back pack with only

Highlight: Trent. It's only been a few days but it's nice to see you again. How perfect with it being a long weekend and you being local. After finishing work

I had plans to get down to Taumarunui today, and walk through and stay at Ōngarue at the beginning of the Timber Trail. I knew the reverse-direction bus that I'd

Highlight: In Levin, Trent and I did our last supermarket shop together (or so I thought). It was a key moment in transitioning from trail life. Today we shop together,

Highlight: Lunch with Christine today. It's great to slowly catch up with everyone. Challenge: That feeling in your stomach when your running late for something. After 3 months of not

Highlight:The main event for the weekend was Mitch and Cheyenne's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, with Cheyenne's family performing many waiata to mark the occasion. A late and

The only bus going north was set to depart at 14:30 from Taumarunui... which is 29 km away. I set the alarm for 07:45 to give me 45

Today is the 42 traverse, to get through to Ōwhango. Named such because it traverses what was state forest 42. It starts off, bringing you past some old pā that