Sunday, Rowan & Jenna are keen to go back to the Pelorus.  Going via Blenheim we go to Kmart on the way to get a snorkel for Jenna as she only has a mask.  Much cheaper than the warehouse as you can’t buy a snorkel on it’s own.

This time we went further up river to a place Rowan and I have been to many times.  The river is a lot lower than usual.  We are there until 5pm before we head back and get fish and chips for dinner. Rowan entertained the tourists and locals by walking along in his dungarees with no shirt and no shoes looking like a hillbilly.

Monday, heading towards Blenheim we decide to take a loop towards Port Underwood and back to camp. We went all the way down to Wairau Bar. The seals were sunbathing, shags swimming and people fishing.

It was a really nice drive and surprisingly I have never done it before. At Robin Bay I read my book while they went snorkeling. I also walked through some curious cows to see an old cottage from 1848. Rowan and Jenna got some Paua off the rocks.

Tuesday, I had a lot of social media to catch up on for Eddy. So we didn’t leave the campground till 2pm. We didn’t venture far, just down to Karaka Point in Waikawa. We had a good swim and Rowan did some fishing. He got some mussels, and a much bigger Kahawai. There was a large stingray hanging out on the edge of the rocks. To

Tonight we had a feast of Kai moana. We found some beers someone left behind. There has actually been quite a few goodies people have left here in the free pile. It was a grand feast for our last night in Picton. Jenna asked us if we wanted to travel with her and share expenses and we said YES! Not one to say no to having a bit of fun. We can carry on our walk later. The best thing about being free!

Picton…
6 nights in Picton!

Friday, a bit of a lazy day for us.  First things first, let’s get a better tent position. We wait for the tent on the otherside. Now we have a hedge on one side now so only get one neighbour. We also put up the e wing to put our gear under it. Then we headed into the town centre to grab some lunch and some supplies from the supermarket.  All of the cafes and restaurants were really busy, we ended up choosing the bakery.  Two potato top pies and a sweet thing.  The park by the water was a good stop for lunch and we ended up having a few friends join us. 

After lunch we headed to the supermarket for supplies.  The supermarket has no coriander, first World problem.   However we do find beer and wine, a much appreciated addition to the heat.  Back at camp we have an early dinner and an early sleep.  The staff here are really friendly.  It is really nice being back in the south island, I feel like I am back home.

Saturday, we are getting moving for the day and decided we will go for a swim and go fishing.  We ended up chatting to a neighbour German lady who is hoping to get on the ferry tomorrow and not be cancelled.  We invited her along!  Jenna (Yennah) has been here 6 weeks and decided to head north to do a few touristy things but it looks unlikely now.  Jenna was here for 9 month 8 years ago so it isn’t like she hasn’t been to the lesser island.  Jenna has never fished before.  We head into the town centre and notice it is really busy and there is a market on.  We detour to have a look at the market before heading to the water.  We walk past heaps of sailing boats about to start a regatta.  Further along we find a good spot for a swim.  The water is cool but really nice.  Rowan finds some Kina and pulls a few out to eat.  After we finished swimming Rowan got the rod out. After a few flicks he hands it to Jenna and shows her how to do it. First cast and she gets a bite! A very small fishy, Kahawai. The hook went through the brain and it wouldn’t survive being put back so we decide we will eat it. Now that Jenna has a 100% perfect rate for her fishing she doesn’t want to ruin it by fishing again haha

We decided to go to the Pelorus and look for nephrite jade and swim! We find heaps of it and then go back down the road to the bridge to swim.

Back at camp, Rowan prepares pizza. He is doing an instant dough so not as good as his usual but understandably he couldn’t be bothered. A great end to a fun day

Julia, a lady with a sleeping bag is coming to us. This should be a lot warmer than what Rowan has been using recently. She is incredibly nice and we try talk her into quiting her job and walking haha. I think we may have planted a seed. To get out of Dr Michaela’s way we plan to be out all day. She works from home so we have been trying to be unintrusive. We head off to Macpac and return the sleeping gear. It takes a while to get a park but eventually we find one. With time to kill I vote for Te Papa! Now it is a bit ridiculous but I haven’t been to Te Papa for 21 years. Well there is definitely some samesies, squid, quake shack, marae. But some very cool new stuff. The Gallipoli exhibition is incredible the sculptures done by Weta Workshop took 24,000 hours to make and you can tell. They have excruciatingly good detail. If you haven’t seen it please do!

I really wanted to break the glass and steal this!

We stayed a few hours and really enjoyed seeing it all. In the nature area I had a random fella come up to me. “Are you Kate & Rowan?” Haha we are now famous, this Danish guy had seen us on Facebook and recognised us. We chatted a long time. Back at Newtown and I start packing for tomorrow. The weather is average and there will be swells but no where near as bad as it was in other parts of the country.

We have a package of stuff to send to my dad passports etc. We head off to do that and then finish our packing. Gareth is dropping us off on his way to work which is great as the rain is non stop. We get down to the ferry terminal and there is a huge sign no new bookings until 21st February. Phew I am glad we booked a few days ago. We drop off our gear and go to subway for lunch. The ferry is running 45min behind but we are still to board at 1pm. We wait outside and a Imogen comes up to us. “Hey you are TA walkers?!” Yes we are. “I have seen you on Facebook.”

Oh we really are famous now haha. We chat to kill time it is a whole hour later before we get on the ferry. Finally on board it takes another hour before we set off. 2 hours late! I am glad I booked our holiday park. We have great long chats with Imogen she has done NOBO (North bound) to Waikanae and made the smart decision to turn around and walk back. North Island is not going to be doable for a long long time. The sea is not bad we go out the long way and swing back in so the passengers don’t get moved around as much. There are plenty of people feeling unwell but luckily the outside is open so we don’t have to see it or smell it.

Now in Picton we just need our bags then a short we kms to the Tasman Holiday Park. There is only just enough space in the tent area for us. It is rather cramped. But mostly because people have parked their cars next to their tents which isn’t very courteous. We set up and make dinner. It is dark by the time we eat. This is a small cramped campground but it has good facilities. They have a pizza oven so now I just need to convince Rowan to make his famous pizzas!

I thought we were going to be a Frisbee last night. No real major lift offs but there was a couple of gusts that felt like it! We found a break in the rain and packed up our gear. My nose is constantly running and I feel a body aches. When we stumble out and reach the carpark there is not one car in the carpark! I knew we should have gotten out yesterday afternoon. We got a little signal and sent sos messages to Michaela & Gareth. Luckily Michaela can rescue us in a few hours. We then come across a carpet layer who is having his lunch break but won’t be heading out till 6pm, no good for a ride.

We get to Sheilds Flat where there are historic walls but no idea why as all the information is weathered so you can’t read the information plaques.

Rowan just took his pack off and I was about to when I saw a ute coming from one of the private properties. So I went out to the road to flag them down. A really lovely man said he could drive us in to Otaki. We were very grateful. As we got moving he said he was heading home to his house in Plimmerton and that he could take us there. Even better! He had two lovely border collie dogs who got lots of pats from me in the back. The Kapiti Coast was super calm and flat, talk about calm before the storm. Once we got near he dropped us off at the train station. It only took 7min and the next train was there to take us to Wellington. In Wellington the weather was pretty good, we got some lunch and hopped on a bus to Newtown. Finally catching up on the news it doesn’t look so good out there for the upper North. We really don’t have the infrastructure to cope for this weather.

Tuesday, I wake super early and can’t get back to sleep. The ferries are getting booked out really fast so I book for the next available one on Thursday. Then we head out to get our jobs done. Michaela has been kind enough to let us use her car again. Rowan needs a cheap temporary backpack to get his sent away and fixed. We also need to return the sleeping kit he got a few weeks ago they are just not going to be warm enough. The whole day is running around. We do have time to kill waiting to hear back from Facebook sellers and we get some op shopping in.

P.S I don’t realise it is valentines day until 4pm lol

Rowan is still feeling under the weather so we really didn’t do much. Read our books and went swimming. There are heaps of people out here, we have seen at least 30 hikers coming through. All are on a mission to go somewhere or do a short hike before the storm hits.

We were going to start walking Sunday out towards Waikanae but I started feeling this cold so we decided to just explore around us and do some short walks. We will walk out to the road tomorrow. This river is super clear and beautiful. I have enjoyed swimming in it. The water is pretty cold but you get used to it. Rowan even got to poke a trout that was 60cm!

Rowan woke feeling a bit better but still a bit blah. We worked out that Geoff could drop us into Otaki as far up as he could get and we would walk south for a couple of days prior to the cyclone. I cleaned the bathroom and changed the sheets and general cleaning until Geoff could take us in. It is roughly 4km walk to the original carpark that you used to be able to drive to. Years ago there was a major slip and they haven’t fixed it yet and I am not sure they will. As there are houses on the otherside the locals have made it really easy to get pass the slip. Lovely Shane & Lisa called us to check we knew about the incoming cyclone and that we will be somewhere safe.

We made it into Otaki Forks by 4.30pm. Our plan was to walk another 2km to the campsite but it is closed. Over the swing bridge there is a hut but there are people in it and I am sure you will get eaten by sandflies. So we pitched our tent on the otherside. After some spaghetti we had a swim. The water was really nice we eneded up playing in there a long time.

I am getting really into my book (currently reading Rothfuss, again) so I can’t help but read as much as possible but this means I lose time pretty fast. Rowan went to pay for our stay $20 which is super cheap. I got him to check that they were okay with us leaving late, they told us we could stay all day. We had a late breakfast and read some more. Finally getting motivated to put our thumbs out we left. Jordan came along about 2 hours after we started hitching. She had a long journey heading to Levin but all the way from Taumarunui and back. We had a good long chat she is really cool and has spent a lot of years in the South Island. We helped her pick up some ladders and then she dropped us at Geoff’s house.

Geoff was happy to see us. We went out food shopping for dinner and talked about heading into the ranges tomorrow. One problem our new mats are already having the same issue. So I call bivouac and ask them what to do. We end up deciding on heading into Wellington tomorrow for the day. We have Christian here tonight who has come back to go into the ranges before heading to the South Island. He walks way too fast for us so I doubt we will come across him again.

An early start as the commuter train leaves at 6.53am. Rowan is feeling quite dodgy and his tummy is not happy. I also don’t feel great but not as bad as he does. We arrive in Wellington and head to Macpac first. The manager there helps with our silk liner and we get it repaired. Rowan also needs his bag fixed as the straps keep loosening. Unfortunately this takes weeks so we will just work out a short term fix and do it after the ranges. We head into bivouac and get refunds for our mats. Of course they don’t want to keep replacing them. I just think we are too heavy and although they don’t have a weight limit maybe they should. We go into Kiwibank to sort out the card we are using. Then we jump on a bus to Newtown to pick up Rowan’s cheap mat from Michaela & Gareth’s place. Back on a bus into the CBD to catch another bus to Petone. In Petone we headed to Torpedo7 to chat about my boots. The glue is coming away, I have followed their care instructions but the leather is also cracking badly. I am hoping to replace them under warranty as I expected they would last at least halfway and it has been less than 500km! I have at least started the process but they may hold us up in Wellington. Off to Macpac as this one stocks the new mat I want (hopefully it lasts). We also pick up some waterproofing spray to use on my poncho. Then off to the supermarket for supplies. On the train back to Wellington now to wait for the 5.15pm commuter train, we should arrive in Levin about 7pm.

We have walked 10km today just running around getting jobs done. My feet are pretty sore, just wearing sandals today so not much support. I feel a lot better but Rowan is not feeling good. At Geoff’s we organise the food and pack for an early start.

Rowan is not feeling better and Geoff is nice enough to let us stay another night. It’s my mums birthday but she isn’t answering her phone so I send a text. I get relaxing and reading my book, I think to check the weather. Well damn there is a cyclone coming. All I can think is what do we do now, I don’t want to impose on Geoff longer than we already have. Rowan and I discuss throughout the day. We take a walk to the supermarket to get food for dinner tonight. I don’t want to be one of those stupid hikers you read about who go out knowing there is a storm on the horizon. Although it is not directly hitting us in the ranges it is predicted for extreme wind and rain. On the top of high peaks in severe winds is not a good idea. The weather is not making this stretch easy on us. Finally at 9.30pm we have a new plan. Geoff will drop us at Otaki Forks and we will walk south to Waikanae and be well ahead of the storm but there is no way for us to be able to walk in the middle. We considered many options including getting to a hut and waiting it out. But with no signal and a way to get updates on the weather it really is a silly idea. I am glad Rowan was sick as we wouldn’t have known until it hit us.

Public Holidays are just another day to us. I barely know what day of the week it is let alone the date. We got ready to go (as we had each day previously). We had a fairly chill morning with two grandkids and two extras. They all entertained each other which is always helpful. Just before lunch Ash & Robert came to pick up the kids and Lisa insisted we all had lunch. We ate all the leftovers from the night before, along with some carrot cake. Once they all left Lisa wanted to take the kids back to their parents and Shane had a few jobs to do so he went too. Rowan and I got some washing done and we helped clean out the spa pool and refill it. Rowan even took Lisa’s car down the road to get the tires pumped up. We were just relaxing and before I realised it the time was 5pm. I said to Rowan do you think we will be here another night? Lol

Lisa & Shane got back and we headed out to Bulls. We got to the campground quickly pitched our tent and all went out to get some kai. We got some Thai food and headed back to the campground to eat it. Lisa said karakia and we had a pleasant meal. When we said goodbye it felt like we were saying goodbye to family. I look forward to seeing them again soon.

The following day Rowan and I are prepared to keep walking. We tell them about the river and Lisa offers to take us to Bulls. We are extremely tempted as the road walking is removing all of our motivation and spirit. We decide to take her up on her offer. Next thing we know one of the kids needs a babysitter and Lisa’s mum is feeling unwell and she takes her to the ER. We end up with little Leo (3) cute as a button and quite bilingual. I have fun playing with him and he takes to me easily and even comes for a cuddle when he gets hurt. Shane says he normally isn’t like that, I guess all those Aunty skills are coming out. From then on I am aunty Kate! The day disappears and we head into town for dinner and to hope that Lisa is done at the hospital. The restaurant we head to is closed so we end up at Kowhai Park and get Mexican takeaways from Shane’s brothers place. Rowan and I insist on paying. We add two more moko (grandkids) Aria and Wizey.

Kowhai Park is famous and I can see why! I get playing straight away. The place was built in the 60s by some locals who just wanted to make a playground. It is super cool and I am glad the local council keeps it well maintained. Wizey and Leo stay the night.

The following day we decide to head in to town for lunch at the place we missed out on for dinner. Lisa is back at the hospital and Shane gives us the keys to their van and says it hasn’t had a good drive in a while and for us to head in before him. Talk about trusting, it is a really nice fancy van. Bula Bure is open, yay. This is run by a Fijian and a kiwi. The day is hot and the music is authentic. We sit down and I feel like we really are at a restaurant in the Pacific Islands. We order food with Shane’s fish and chips but tell the kitchen not to cook them yet. The food is delicious and huge, we can’t eat it all.

Shane calls to say he is coming after all and we can wait for him or we can head back to their place. We happily wait and read our books. A bus load of people come in a full family of Fijians which add to the whole feel. One of the lovely ladies comes over and introduces herself, she gives me a big hug and says we must be the hikers staying with Lisa & Shane. Not long after Shane arrives and we get his food ordered. The owners come out and chat to us too. Before we know it we have become part of a big group and Lisa also arrives. There is 2 grandkids in tow today and there is a huge playground outside so we barely see them. Before we know it the time is 5pm. Owners Ashleigh and Robert come back with 4 of their kids for dinner. Rowan cooks up a huge curry and we end up with Aria and two of Robert & Ashlieghs kids.

Not a breath of wind came all night it was oppressive. Rain finally came at 4.20am and cooled the temperature down. When we woke in the morning the rain was still pounding on the tent but there was promise of it clearing soon so I sat and read my book. Once the weather cleared we packed up, said our goodbyes and headed towards the ocean. We could see two hikers just ahead of us and one coming up behind. The two in front were walking pretty fast and there is no way we would catch them. The one behind us caught up after a couple of kilometres when I needed to attend to a blister. We had a quick chat and for a while we kept pace with each other. When we got onto state highway 3 we stopped at a rest stop and she kept going. The couple who were ahead of us were there. We had done about 7km before we stopped which is great for us. The weather kept raining off and on and we got walking again. We knew we wouldn’t make it 20km to get the tide for the river crossing and planned to stop before the beach.

Relieved to be off the main highway we started walking down the long road past farms towards the beach. The rain started to really bucket down, we got absolutely soaked! A couple stopped to tell us we wouldn’t be able to cross the river and that is was really flooded. Unsure what to do we kept heading in the direction of the beach. I said to Rowan the hikers ahead of us will head back if they can’t cross and we can always hitch out if that is the case. Continuing on and Rowan asks if my feet are wet yet? Not yet but also not long after I had a good squelch happening. A lovely lady pulled over to tell us we look like drowned rats and that we should come to her place, dry off and have a shower. We said we were okay and she said well I am just over in those trees please come in of you want. We said we may just do that. A kilometre later we struck her house, we both felt like we could go further but a quick cuppa and some relief from the rain will be nice. The house is surrounded by native plants making it a little oasis. The driveway was really flooded. We must have looked sad she gave us towels and told us to come in. We introduce ourselves Lisa and Shane quickly make us feel at home. Lisa makes me a coffee and we relax at the dining table and get chatting. I no sooner finished my coffee and Lisa insisted I get in the shower and we put our clothes in the wash. Rowan and I do as we are told and I feel great after a shower. Then Lisa says “you should just stay the night, we have a spare bed.” We take her up on her offer and relax. Lisa and Shane are incredibly warm and welcoming. Proper Māori welcoming with food and all. Shane insists on getting us all Thai food for dinner as he has to head into to town. We have some great kai and I feel like we are part of the whanau.