Day 1, and I'm in my little tent writing my blog post as a draft email (I'll publish it and add photos on day 3 when I get in cellphone range). Feeling pretty tired - after a long exhausting tramp these blog updates might be a bit short!
I was picked up from the backpackers just after 10am - later than planned so I could start hiking after high tide.
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Waiting for my pick-up at 10am. I’ll try to post a daily pic of what I’m doing or seeing at 10am.
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| Waenga Maaka, my driver. He knows of one of the teachers at school, Bella. Small world! |
An hour and a half later I was in Cape Reinga, feeling a bit nervous and emotional about the start of the big tramp. After checking out the lighthouse, I was off!
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| Kit on. Ready to go! |
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Breathtaking views.
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| I had to call by the lighthouse before I started. |
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| The obligatory starting shot. Maybe I’ll get a matching one from Bluff one day... |
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| View from the hill above Cape Reinga lighthouse |
The trail wound down to Te Werahi beach, then inland around a point to get to Twilight beach.
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| The official start of the TA. |
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| Te Werahi beach |
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| Sun protection rating: 10. Fashion rating: 0. |
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| Twilight beach. |
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| Stairs at the end of the beach. To the campsite I hope! |
After about 4 hours I was at the Day 1 campsite - just a little grass area. I was joined by a few others - three who are doing a different hike, and one who is also doing the TA trail. Proof again that NZ is a small country - Max, you will know her! (Clare Logan - she is fundraising for the Westlake Boys rowing team)
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| Welcome to my home. Cosy! |
I had dehydrated beef curry for dinner, and now it's time for bed (8pm). Early start tomorrow!
PS: My right shin/ankle started getting sore towards the end, I am hobbling a bit gingerly around the campsite on it. I'm a bit worried, as there are 3 big days coming up, so hopefully it improves overnight. But, all up it's been a successful first day. Good to finally have started, after all the planning!
PPS: 3am, listening to the roar of the surf. Best stars ever.
Awesome! Great to see you've got wifi and we can follow your progress. Nice work Simon! (impressed, Ohaupo).
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