3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

1st May ‘19

Day:

99

Title:

Back into it!

KM Mark Start:

1573

Start Location:

Parawai Lodge

KM Mark Finish:

1563.5

Finish Location:

Waitewaewae Hut

Actual KM Today:

10.5

Weather:

Sunny but cool

General:

Today was back into the long stretches of ups and downs, sidling the side of valley after valley. Pretty wet under foot and tree roots criss cross the trail which makes the walking a little more technical and slow going. Trail followed Waitatapia Stream then Arapito Creek to Waitewaewae Hut.

Body/Health:

Good as

Outlook:

All good. Hoping the fine weather lasts.

Tune of the Day:

99. Gimme Tha Power – Molotov

Day 99 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

30th April ‘19

Day:

98

Title:

Night Walk

KM Mark Start:

1597

Start Location:

Waikanae

KM Mark Finish:

1573

Finish Location:

Parawai Lodge

Actual KM Today:

27

Weather:

Drizzly periods but mostly fine.

General:

Began the day from Waikanae, had a few things to sort out before taking off. I am still sending items home as I realise there is no need for them or they don’t get used enough to warrant carrying their weight. The trail follows Reikorangi and then Mangaone Road before entering into the Kaitawa Scenic Reserve. A good climb up to Pukeatua Peak and then followed the ridges towards Otaki Forks Campsite. Finally it was north east for a few km’s to arrive at Parawai Lodge. Spent the last hour walking in the dark with a head lamp (that wanted to keep turning off).

Body/Health:

Rested

Outlook:

Positive – Happy to be in the backcountry again.

Tune of the Day:

98. Chinga Tu Madre – Molotov

Day 98 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

27th, 28th & 29th April ‘19

Day:

95, 96 & 97

Title:

Incoming weather bomb 💣

KM Mark Start:

1597

Start Location:

Waikanae

KM Mark Finish:

1597

Finish Location:

Waikanae

Actual KM Today:

0

Weather:

Windy!

General:

95. Just waiting it out and sorting a few website updates.

96. Visited Te Papa to see the Gallipoli Display. Te Papa has joined forces with Weta Workshop to create an exhibition like no other. This ground-breaking exhibition tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. There were also a number of other really interesting displays. The skeleton of famous NZ Horse (Phar Lap), Britten Motor Bike, Art Gallery etc etc.

97. Prepped for the Tararuas.

Body/Health:

All goods

Outlook:

Keen to get going over the Tararuas! Wellingtons great but I need to push North.

Tune of the Day:

95. My Immortal – Evanescence

96. Everlong Acoustic Version – Foo Fighters

97. Riders on The Storm – The Doors

Day 95, 96 & 97 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

26th April ‘19

Day:

94

Title:

Beach Walk

KM Mark Start:

1608

Start Location:

Paraparaumu Beach (EOD)

KM Mark Finish:

1597

Finish Location:

Waikanae (SOD)

Actual KM Today:

13

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Easy walk through wetlands then following the Waikanae River down to the beach. The final 3km was walking along the beach toward Paraparaumu.

Body/Health:

Awesome

Outlook:

Want to get through the Tararuas but the weather looks rubbish. Gale force winds, snow on the tops and heavy rain forecast. Not ideal for this section.

Went into Wellington for a night out with G & B. Great times & Great Music @ Poquito Cafe & Bar.

Tune of the Day:

94. Disarm Remastered – Smashing Pumpkins

Day 94 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

25th April ‘19 – Lest We Forget

Day:

93

Title:

ANZAC

KM Mark Start:

1620

Start Location:

Paekakariki (EOD)

KM Mark Finish:

1608

Finish Location:

Paraparaumu Beach (SOD)

Actual KM Today:

14

Weather:

Sunny

General:

My first official trail companion! Whoop whoop!!

Had a friend from Uni days meet me to join in the walk for the day. Loved having the company and catching up with Gemma. Didn’t feel like a full days walk at all when we had so much to talk about. Pretty sure we solved most of the worlds problems.

I love the coastal scene and these coastlines do not disappoint.

(I’m not sure what the children riding the P-pipe in the last image represents?)😆🧐

Body/Health:

Ace

Outlook:

Good

Tune of the Day:

Beleza – The Black Seeds

Day 93 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

24th April ‘19

Day:

92

Title:

Escarpment Trail

KM Mark Start:

1643

Start Location:

Porirua (EOD)

KM Mark Finish:

1620

Finish Location:

Paekakariki (SOD)

Actual KM Today:

27

Weather:

Sunny

General:

Nice walk over the Escarpment trail that links the Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay. Some perfect weather which made for some amazing views up and down the coast line.

A few signs and historical buildings dotted around in memory of the bygone days of the Paekakariki rail services. The trains still operate but a lot of the original buildings are not required.

Some good rehabilitation efforts have been made along the escarpment trail for native plants, lizards and birds.

All of the populated areas have a real coastal feel to them. If I was to live in Hurricanes country, these spots are where I’d base myself for sure.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Positive – Miss the back country huts though

Tune of the Day:

92. The Devils Bleeding Crown – Wolbeat

Day 92 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

23rd April ‘19

Day:

91

Title:

White-Out Welly

KM Mark Start:

1660

Start Location:

Totara Ridge Johnsonville (EOD)

KM Mark Finish:

1643

Finish Location:

Porirua (SOD)

Actual KM Today:

20

Weather:

Rained all morn, then white-out

General:

Same as yesterday – reversed the direction of the days walk so I ended up in town at the end. Ummed and ahhhed about whether or not I should wait for the rain and thick fog to clear, but convinced myself I could be waiting for days, so hit the trail with gusto.

Not much to report on as most of the day was white-out. The trail took me up through Porirua Scenic Reserve, via Colonial Knob (Rangituhi). Ended up following Ohariu Stream onto Ohariu Valley Road, Rifle Range Road and Old Church Road which lead me to where I finished yesterday.

Body/Health:

Legs and feet getting used to the new shoes

Outlook:

Good – A little more difficult to sort out each section in the North so far.

Tune of the Day:

91. Touch, Peel and Stand – Days of the New

Day 91 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

22nd April ‘19 – Easter Monday

Day:

90

Title:

Welly Scenes

KM Mark Start:

1677

Start Location:

Wellington City (EOD)

KM Mark Finish:

1660

Finish Location:

Totara Ridge Johnsonville (SOD)

Actual KM Today:

20

Weather:

Cloudy with few showers

General:

Reversed the direction today and caught the bus out to the planned destination and walked back to town. Most of the day was via the skyline walkway and into the botanic gardens. Enjoyed looking around the cable cart museum and greenhouse.

Body/Health:

Bit tight in the Achilles but new trail runners feel a lot lighter to walk in.

Outlook:

Have enjoyed Wellington – keen to move on.

Tune of the Day:

90. Basket Case -Green Day

Day 90 Images:

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

April ‘19

Day:

89

Title:

Rained off

KM Mark Start:

1677

Start Location:

Wellington City

KM Mark Finish:

1677

Finish Location:

Wellington City

Actual KM Today:

0

Weather:

Heavy rain

General:

Heavy rain and wind weather warning in place for the day so didn’t venture out.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Looking forward to seeing the Tararua Ranges

Tune of the Day:

89. Fire – Barns Courtney

Day 89 Images:

No images for the day so a few IG faves…again.

3RY Update Part:

9

Date:

20th April ‘19

Day:

88

Title:

Windy Welly

KM Mark Start:

1689

Start Location:

Island Bay Wellington via Picton and Ferry Crossing

KM Mark Finish:

1677

Finish Location:

Wellington City

Actual KM Today:

15

Weather:

Windy with few clouds

General:

Caught the bus to the rock that marks the start/end of the TA trail in the north island, located at Island Bay Wellington.

Track hugs the Coast for the first few km’s, looking out to Taputeranga Island and the marine reserve. It then cuts up and over Mt Albert and various recreational areas for walking, running and mountain biking etc.

Eventually drops down into Oriental Bay and follows the esplanade to town. Nice walk, have always enjoyed the quirky Wellington scene. Went and bought some trail runners and rubber tips for my walking poles. Apparently they are pretty handy for the road sections in the North.

Body/Health:

Good

Outlook:

Good thanks yeah

Tune of the Day:

88. Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked – Cage the Elephant

Day 88 Images: