I am finally feeling better, a bit of a runny nose and a cough like a seal but well enough to start. Rowan has caught my cold and is also on the mend, he doesn’t have it as bad. We are all packed minus some last minute items and we will set off in the morning. Not sure when I will have a chance to go back online and do an update. My grandparents are coming down to the wharf to see us leave for Stillwater, apparently they are also bringing an audience. Here is hoping we don’t fall in!

The plan was to be walking by Saturday but I have come down with a cold. I have done a couple of RAT tests to make sure it wasn’t covid. Already starting to feel better. Now the plan is to be heading off on Tuesday, we will hit the tides just perfectly to get us up the Weiti River over to Stillwater. I have an app called Polar Steps which is designed to follow your every step and map it out. Both of our phones will be on flight mode 99% of the time. I am looking forward to losing the reliance I have using it all the time. Off to have a hot shower, I’m not sure how many more real showers I will have in the next few weeks. It is the one thing that I don’t like the idea of, having a cold swim in some little ankle deep stream or freezing cold lake. For Rowan it is pooping in the woods and biting insects. We are looking forward to being comfortable with being uncomfortable. So please think of us while you enjoy your comfortable daily existance.

Here is the polar steps link

https://www.polarsteps.com/kiwiwhobos/5241424-free-wander-aotearoa?s=d1efb916-a3b8-4230-b089-d28a17324468

Currently sitting at the airport waiting for our delayed plane. The last week has given us a chance to spend 3 fun nights at our friends house in Nelson. Fossicking in the Aniseed River, Brightwater Bridge and Wairoa Gorge. Had a brief op shop tour home and a snowball fight in the Lewis Pass. Our awesome neighbours and close friends let us stay for 3 nights. I even had a chance to go to the monthly community meeting to say goodbye. The lovely Liz kindly dropped us off at the airport. I am excited and nervous all at the same time.

In the beginning we thought we could just use gear we already owned, then it all changed and we added a lot of extras. Hours of research later we have purchased majority of the items in this list. Our intention was to be between 7kg-10kg base weight, it was going well until we started adding toys. Because we are doing this for 6-12 months, making the journey as comfortable and as fun as possible became really important. In doing so we have added a lot that most wouldn’t. We reached our goal of base weight for normal gear but the toys mean we are more like 16kgs each!

On the Te Araroa FB Group Rowan came across a guy named Jeremy who had done a trail from north to south utilising a packraft and a carbon fibre scooter. This set in motion a complete change to our trip, instead of going light and compact we started adding a lot of extras. A lot of research later we came across Koaro Packrafts, we headed to Karamea to see what was possible. Rowan must have asked Sam a million questions, but by the end of the day we had a custom designed packraft ordered. Now a few kilos heavier we decided to add items to make our trip more enjoyable. Below is a list of what we are bringing with us.

Shelter/Sleeping Gear

• Durston XMid 2p Tent
• 4x MSR Groundhog
• 2x MSR Groundhog mini
• 2x Sand/Snow Pegs
• 10x Assorted Pegs
• Durston Groundsheet
• MSR E-Wing Shelter
• 2x Nemo Switchback Foam Mats
• Sea to Summit Etherlight Mat – K
• Sea to Summit Mat – R
• Sea to Summit Aeros Lightweight Pillow K
• Klymit Pillow R
• 2x Enlightened Design Revolution Quilts
• Sea to Summit Silk Liner – R
• Macpac Silk Liner – K
• 2x Tyvek Quilt Bags
• 2x Emergency Bivy Bags

Cooking Gear

• Soto Windmaster Gas Cooker
• Flat Pack Titanium Wood Stove
• MSR Alpine Frying Pan
• Sea to Summit Pot
• Titanium Pot 3L
• Titanium Plate
• Titanium Large Mug
• Can Opener
• MSR Spatular
• Titanium Cutlery
• Water Bottle
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

Safety

• PLB
• First Aid Kit
• Ironwire (rope)
• Wire Saw
• Sea to Summit Multi Tool
• Wallet – ID, Cash, Cards

Toiletries

• Sea to Summit 10L Shower
• Soap
• Conditioner/Moisturiser
• 2x Toothbrushes
• Floss + Interdental Brush
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Deodorant
• Wash Towel
• Dry Towel
• Silicone Ear Plugs
• 2x Titanium Trowels
• Toilet Paper
• Shewee
• Bush Cloth (fufu wiper)

Rowan Clothing

• Julbo Explorer Sunglasses
• Macpac Hat
• Sea to Summit Net
• Poncho
• Macpac Down Vest
• Kathmandu Merino Long Sleeve
• Kathmandu Merino Dress Shirt
• Macpac Merino Short Sleeve
• Columbia Quick Dry Shirt
• Lightweight Dungarees
• Sparx Bamboo Underwear
• 2x Macpac Merino Underwear
• 2x Injinji Sock Liners
• Icebreaker Outer Socks
• Mons Royale Hooded Merino Top
• Icebreaker Merino Track Pants
• Macpac Merino Buff
• Salomon Sandals
• Salomon Element Boots
• Possum Gloves
• Manuka Staff
• Fallkniven Bushcraft

Kate Clothing

• Prescription Transition Glasses
• Back Up Glasses
• Op Shop Hat
• Poncho
• Macpac Puffer Jacket
• Macpac Fleece Jumper
• Icebreaker Merino Singlet
• Kathmandu Quick Dry Shirt
• Curve Leggings
• Tradies Bamboo Shorties Underwear
• Awwa Period Underwear
• Sloggi Bra
• 2x Injinji Sock Liners
• Icebreaker Outer Socks
• Kathmandu Merino Long Sleeve
• Icebreaker Merino Track Pants
• Icebreaker Merino Buff
• Beanie
• Teva Sandals
• Salomon Quest 4 Boots
• Possum Gloves
• Leki Walking Poles
• Umbrella
• Opinel Knife

Gathering

• 5 Piece Fishing Rod
• Reel Spooled with Braid
• Tackle Kit
• Spearhead & Elastic
• Diving Mask & Snorkel
• Slingshot
• Single Neoprene Gloves

Electronics

• Samsung Note 9 – K
• Apple 10 – R
• 2x Kindle Paperwhite
• Anker Battery Pack 2800amp
• Solar Panel
• Nikon P1000
• Tripod
• Battery, SD Cards
• Lensa Head Torch
• Hand Torch
• Battery Powered Pump/Lantern (packraft & mats)
• Various Charging Cords
• Samsung Double Charger
• 2x Jaybird Earbuds

Packraft

• Custom Koaro Packraft
• Koaro Inflatable Floor
• Koaro Dry Bags
• Custom Paddles (attach to walking poles)
• Life Vest
• To come is helmets & better life vests prior to white water rafting

It’s less than a week to go before our house settles, we will be out on the streets (tent & backpacks). It is starting to feel real now, I am camping on the floor in the entertainment room. Rowan had his last sleep on the couch, which gets collected today. I am without our automatic coffee machine that I relied on heavily. Soon our dining table will disappear and I will be writing blogs on the floor. Watching all my plants go has been strange, I am definitely missing the greenery in the house. We will clear out our wardrobe and ensuite this weekend and we will camp in the living area for the rest of our stay.

With a very minor chance that settlement delays we will book our way to the north after the lawyer confirms the sale. Our amazing neighbours have said we can stay as long as we need, they may regret that 😉 It will most likely mean we are traveling up to Nelson one last time before flying north.

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Rowan and I are driving along the Lewis Pass heading to Nelson, “I had a thought. Instead of buying a camper or traveling overseas how about we walk the length of the country?” We had a brief discussion and he said “before we get deeper, just say yes or no.” Of course said yes, without thinking hard about it. Now that the decision was made, now what? How do we get to the point of putting our backpacks on and walking out the door?

At this time of our lives we were up shit creek without a paddle. Life had just been dumped on us (again) with the force of a mighty earthquake. In this pickle we were already discussing a “full out.” Out of Christchurch, out of business arrangements, out of responsibilities. This was no simple task, we had three 40 foot containers of antiques and collectibles that needed to be shipped to an auction house. A 3 car garage overflowing with more vintage goodies. Not to mention a 315sqm home with a maximalist approach to decor. Oh and don’t let me forget 2 acres consisting of 7 cows, boats, vehicles and sheds to clear. Prior to thinking about the house and begin the renovation we had all of the above too clear. I was at breaking point, we were at breaking point. Both of us on the verge of a full mental breakdown (I went numb). Somehow through this shit storm we managed to not break up, our communication is/was the strongest part of our relationship. We were both utterly miserable but neither of us was the cause. We made the decision to try our best for one another and knew it wouldn’t be easy.

It took a long time to get to the point where the renovating could begin. The day the house was finally photographed felt like a huge step forward. Our heads were full of doubt. Our home in Christchurch is located in the heart of a red zone. We had agents give us appraisals with estimates between $500k – $1.5m. There was no data for agents to go off, they could estimate it’s worth non as is and non red zone, but how much did the zoning effect the price? No one knew, there had been no open market sales in the suburb. We had purchased it in 2019 privately, our guess was we underpaid for it but wasn’t sure. Four weeks till the auction felt like it flew by but went incredibly slow all at the same time. Auction day came, it was the most nervous I have been in my adult life. Listening to the bidding was a surreal moment. Afterwards I was in a daze, it hadn’t had a chance to sink in. 6 months of battling through belongings and more things going wrong than right we had done it, we had sold our house. I don’t drink a lot but I did that afternoon, I was quite tipsy indeed. It took nearly a full week to really sink in, the week was booked up each day, family coming and going it hadn’t had a chance to register.

Our original settlement was to be two weeks after the auction, this was extended for the people who won and we had a 10 week settlement. We have been itching to go, but it has been good having the extra few weeks to get organised.