Day 49: Bog Inn Hut to Piropiro Flats Camp (20km, 5.5 hours)

I was woken at about 2am by the sound of mosquitoes. I slathered on my 80% DEET and that seemed to keep them at bay. After that I had a great sleep, and woke up at 7am.

I’d heard some critter on the roof, but other than that there was no sign of rats overnight, and my food was intact. I was off and back on the trail by 7:30.

On my way…

This section of the trail is known for multiple suspension bridges, and I was looking forward to seeing them.

The first of many suspension bridges

Trying not to look down or drop the phone!

Another…

Another…

10am pic: a drink on the go

Another view from a bridge

Lovely walking trails

…turning into gravel paths towards the end

An enjoyable hike today, although the gravel towards the end reminded me too much of my road walking a couple of days ago. My feet were holding up OK, still sore but I was managing the blisters.

Today my song choice was back to a Christmas theme - White Wine In The Sun by Tim Minchin. I’m a Tim Minchin fan but have only just discovered this recently, and it’s easily my favourite Christmas song at the moment (makes me a little teary every time). Other songs highly worth listening to by Tim are Prejudice, Dark Side, Thank You God (for you mum!) and I’ll Take Lonely Tonight. But he’s a genius, everything he does is good!

By 1pm, I saw a sign for the Timber Lodge - the halfway point on the Timber Trail, where the mountain bikers go for their luxury stayovers. But, rumoured to do a mean pizza and beer for TA hikers! (I admit I started singing “I Need A Pizza”, with apologies to Bonnie Tyler). Shortly after I was there.

At last, that coke! (and a beer)

Pizza #1

The pizza was great. I finished it, then paid a visit to Camp Epic nearby - a glampsite for luxury campers, but they let me use their shower for $5 - totally worth it! (I also had a shave and quickly rinsed my hiking clothes). My campsite was Piropiro Flats nearby - a large campsite, but I discovered it has road access so was busy with holidaymakers, some with annoying quad bikes.

Busy at camp today!

But I found a corner spot 

After setting up my tent I couldn’t help myself - I went back for pizza #2 at the Timber Lodge. Equally good! I tried to use their weak wifi to do a blog update, but with the mountain bikers arriving and switching on their devices it wasn’t good enough to do much - the blog will have to wait till Taumaranui. Peter was there, the TA hiker I met previously - he’d decided to stay for the pizza, and was going to hire a mountain bike to finish the trail tomorrow. 

Getting ready for bed, I managed to lock myself inside the long drop loo. Not a good place to be stuck! I was banging on the door for several minutes until someone yelled to give it an almighty shove - which worked. Whew! 

Today’s route