Farewell, adieu,ka kite ano, goodbye North Island, it's been the best of times and the worst of times and it's a far, far better place I go to now (apologies to Charles Dickens).
After the final stretch via scenic Poirua and a failed attempt by a group of weary, chocolate starved ta trampers to get free samples from the Whitakers factory I made it to sunny Wellington (yes, really). I spent Christmas eve and morning with my old mate Andrea and her family then met up with some TA mates to eat prawns, drink beer and go wharf jumping (it's officially my new favorite sport).
Resisting the temptation to do a papal kiss of the South Island at Picton I made do with a coat hanger smile when I saw the Marlborough sounds. I am having a wee break before I start the Queen Charlotte Track (main danger: too many tourists on the track).
In light of the fact that it's a new year very soon here are the things that I lost and gained from this year in the North Island:
Lost
My anger at Gerry Brownlee, all the National government and EQC, Fletchers EQR and various cowboy builders.
My lovely super lightweight down jacket down a gully in the Tararuas
Gained
A new sense of perspective on pretty much everything and hence my mojo
Te Araroa SOBO mates (through trampers, south bound)
I picked up some mail in Wellington and read the messages from my friends that they gave me before I left as I knew that I would need them about now.
Highlights:
Don't come home until you've finished (Sue), relentless forward progress (Paul) and press on with your day but not always (Mads).
So, I can't expect anyone who may want to help me on this trip to have psychic powers so here is a few things that I am fairly desperately in need of for my South Island section.
Any kind of lightweight down or other jacket
An uber lightweight camping pot, that is, titanium or similar
I have been given a generous discount by Macpac for some clothing but my funds/budget are in somewhat of an extreme cash flow crisis at present. Anybody that knows me will realise that I am expert at living on the whiff of half an oily rag but I have used up my reserves with ferry fares, water taxi, food drops, post, camping fees etc.
So, I know that I am all about raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis but to do that I have to actually survive in one piece on the trail so if anybody can help either with the above or a donation to my south island fund I would be very appreciative. I don't want to trouble my gold sponsors, Mr and Mrs Paul and Sue Roberts yet again for support as they have both helped out so very much thus far.
Thanks folks, as Adele would say, see you on the other side....RachXX
After the final stretch via scenic Poirua and a failed attempt by a group of weary, chocolate starved ta trampers to get free samples from the Whitakers factory I made it to sunny Wellington (yes, really). I spent Christmas eve and morning with my old mate Andrea and her family then met up with some TA mates to eat prawns, drink beer and go wharf jumping (it's officially my new favorite sport).
Resisting the temptation to do a papal kiss of the South Island at Picton I made do with a coat hanger smile when I saw the Marlborough sounds. I am having a wee break before I start the Queen Charlotte Track (main danger: too many tourists on the track).
In light of the fact that it's a new year very soon here are the things that I lost and gained from this year in the North Island:
Lost
My anger at Gerry Brownlee, all the National government and EQC, Fletchers EQR and various cowboy builders.
My lovely super lightweight down jacket down a gully in the Tararuas
Gained
A new sense of perspective on pretty much everything and hence my mojo
Te Araroa SOBO mates (through trampers, south bound)
I picked up some mail in Wellington and read the messages from my friends that they gave me before I left as I knew that I would need them about now.
Highlights:
Don't come home until you've finished (Sue), relentless forward progress (Paul) and press on with your day but not always (Mads).
So, I can't expect anyone who may want to help me on this trip to have psychic powers so here is a few things that I am fairly desperately in need of for my South Island section.
Any kind of lightweight down or other jacket
An uber lightweight camping pot, that is, titanium or similar
I have been given a generous discount by Macpac for some clothing but my funds/budget are in somewhat of an extreme cash flow crisis at present. Anybody that knows me will realise that I am expert at living on the whiff of half an oily rag but I have used up my reserves with ferry fares, water taxi, food drops, post, camping fees etc.
So, I know that I am all about raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis but to do that I have to actually survive in one piece on the trail so if anybody can help either with the above or a donation to my south island fund I would be very appreciative. I don't want to trouble my gold sponsors, Mr and Mrs Paul and Sue Roberts yet again for support as they have both helped out so very much thus far.
Thanks folks, as Adele would say, see you on the other side....RachXX