Te Araroa Trail – One Step at a Time – Part 1

It is 2.30 pm on Monday, 3^rd January 2022. Yvonne and I are seated around a small wooden table, sipping a cold ginger beer, with a cool ocean breeze blowing on our backs, shaded by a black and white umbrella outside Dock Side Bar (Wellington harbour waterfront).  Our ferry crossing isn’t until 8.30 pm this evening  – so a little time to fill-in, what better way than to start a post.

As we walked to catch the bus from the Wellington airport to train station this morning, I asked Yvonne “what are your feelings today?”  her response was “excitement, anticipation, apprehension, fearful.”  Her feelings are very similar to mine – quite a normal response before any major journey I would say.  What would you say?

I thought back to what John (Yvonne’s husband) said on the way to the Hamilton airport this morning:

“You really start living when you are out of your comfort zone.”

John having been a pilot (top dressing pilot in earlier days) no doubt had many “out of comfort zone” experiences. That quote resonated with me and a good reason to embrace the journey ahead hence the title “One step at a time”. As this is the only thing I feel I can have control over that is besides my mental state.

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words in texts and emails. Thank you Sue for your banner, it made us feel special – bit of celebrity status if you get the gist!  By the number of recent subscriptions to my blog – the pressure is on to both physically perform and write enjoyable blogs!

Start of journey

As you know a journey starts months and sometimes years before it comes to fruition.  Reading other people’s stories and adventures always inspires me and gets the mind and imagination stimulated.  I can partly blame my cycling friend Sari for me getting back into hiking.  Last year Sari and I hiked the Timber Trail and while I had dreadful sore feet (mechanical issues) – no blisters, I realised I too can do longer hikes.  It also ignited a spark in my mind for more hiking like adventures.  Being away from ‘from it all’ with everything you need on your back gives me a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment, something I strive to experience more and more on my world.  What brings you that sense of contentment?

I have spent hours preparing my body and mind for this journey – giving it my best shot.  Went on a map reading course (twice), have given dehydrating food a go, will let you know whether that has been successful or not later. Experimented with different types of footwear, ended up needing orthotics which have proved to be a success.  Updated my sleeping system which now weights 1.7 kgs.   The list goes on, but all I can say and do now it to approach this “long walk” with positively, flexibility and be “in the moment” (bite of cliché) and embrace “the out of comfort zone” moments.

Below is a view of my basics, which comes to 8.125 kgs.  No food, water or pack weight included. Never in my life have I worn the same clothes for weeks on end, I will not be making any fashion statements.

Thank you Winston Peters

Neither Yvonne nor I have a need to travel much on local public transport so today catching the bus into the city was an interesting experience.  Fortunately for us the bus driver was young, very helpful and understanding of two old gals with packs on.  We had completely forgotten that because we are Goldcard holders we didn’t need to pay, that was after much conversing.  As I made my way down the aisle and sat down at on a vacant seat, another older person said “you two are Goldcard holders aren’t you, of course you travel for free.”  It was said in such a tone that – everyone knows that sort of thing.  So, thank you Winston for this little piece of legislation.

Storing backpacks

Thank you for Waterloo Backpackers for providing the facility to store our packs safely until we needed to catch the ferry.  That was another incident that the poor male receptionist must have thought “what have we got here???”  But what we’re finding is interesting how “patient and polite” these young people have been towards us. Silver hair and age has some real positives!!

Tomorrow morning, we are looking forward to catching up with my old cycling mate Sari. She will be meeting up with us later in the Richmond Range area and bringing in some of my home made dehydrated food along with some other goodies.  And catching up with my brother Ben and sister-in-law Fran for coffee and a chin wag.

In the afternoon at 1.30 pm we catch the water taxi to Ship Cover, start of Queen Charlotte track.  I know many of you have either cycled or walked it, but for Yvonne and me it’s a first.  So, it is the beginning of our “long walk – with one step at a time.”

Till next time, enjoy this wonderful summer weather and make the most of each day.  Take care – GoldCard Gal 😊

PS.  I must remember to take more photographs!