Arriving through mangroves and muddy coastal track at Tidesong, I saw Ros mowing her massive orchard and garden. She and her husband Hugh are great ‘Trail Angels’, especially to solo walkers. After several cups of tea and some home baking, I accepted their kind offer to stay the night. Ros cooked a scrummy meal and tuned in to the nutritional needs of TA trampers, this included heaps of veggies.
Hugh has one of Ros’s kidneys and they have both done the TA to raise awareness of live kidney donors. Hugh biked and drove around to meet Ros. One of the complications of kidney disease is super-sensitive feet, due to nerve damage - so a pebble can feel like a shard of glass. This makes it even more incredible that Hugh helped me across the mangrove swamp and tidal estuary. He even lent me some ‘mud slippers’ and carried a bucket and cloth so that I could have clean feet when resuming the trail! - A pair of 'Trail Angels’ indeed!
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Although many locals are very supportive of the trail, there is some ambivalence from the Whangerei Council. Ros is trying hard to persuade them of the economic benefits of the TA, especially with section walkers - many of whom prefer to stay in accommodation rather than camp out.
Hugh has one of Ros’s kidneys and they have both done the TA to raise awareness of live kidney donors. Hugh biked and drove around to meet Ros. One of the complications of kidney disease is super-sensitive feet, due to nerve damage - so a pebble can feel like a shard of glass. This makes it even more incredible that Hugh helped me across the mangrove swamp and tidal estuary. He even lent me some ‘mud slippers’ and carried a bucket and cloth so that I could have clean feet when resuming the trail! - A pair of 'Trail Angels’ indeed!
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Although many locals are very supportive of the trail, there is some ambivalence from the Whangerei Council. Ros is trying hard to persuade them of the economic benefits of the TA, especially with section walkers - many of whom prefer to stay in accommodation rather than camp out.
In many ways I am very grateful that I’m walking at this time - while there is still a real element of surprise when tramping. Such as, "will I find a random local with a boat to take me to Marsden Point?"! Answer (after a very windy camp out and stunning walk on the ridge) was “Yes! Phew! Hurrah!”: A guy with a bach in the bay - and a rather helpful coffee addiction - regularly goes over to the Marsden Point café for his ‘fix’. It thus was a quick sail, followed by a walk on the beach, then.. more walking on the beach followed by.... Well, eventually, I met some guys long-lining who had their ute crammed with beer and nutrition-less food. I didn’t take to much persuasion to accept (gratefully!) a can of cold coke!
Many, many steps later, I arrived at a DOC campsite on the beach front which is fabulous. The next few days included HEAPS of stunning scenery: Sometimes I wondered if this was my reality…It seemed like someone had put a giant painting of a too-amazing-to-be-real scene; a scene of sparkling sand, perfect blue skies and picture book boats on the horizon. And another. And another. It is real. And my reality.
Many, many steps later, I arrived at a DOC campsite on the beach front which is fabulous. The next few days included HEAPS of stunning scenery: Sometimes I wondered if this was my reality…It seemed like someone had put a giant painting of a too-amazing-to-be-real scene; a scene of sparkling sand, perfect blue skies and picture book boats on the horizon. And another. And another. It is real. And my reality.
Over the next day or two, all being well I’ll be in Warkworth. I will miss Northland…Not just for its stunning scenery, but more so for the people, the people, the people: I am trying not to fret: Will I be as fortunate finding a random kind person with an estuary/river/sea worthy boat?!
Time will tell. Southward, ever southward…the Big Smoke awaits....
Ka Kite
RachXX
Time will tell. Southward, ever southward…the Big Smoke awaits....
Ka Kite
RachXX
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