YOYO-ing

3 April

Paraparaumu - Waikanae / Palmerston North - Mt Lees Reserve

KM 1451.5

Distance: 35km  (28+7)

Elevation: ascent 232m, descent 308m

Steps: 51,500

Time: 7:25am - 8:30 (Paraparaumu-Waikanae)

10:35 - 5:50pm (Palmerston North - Mt Lees Reserve)

YOYO-ing: Undertaking the TA in non-linear fashion, i.e., doing sections in a different order. Also, emotional ups and downs. 

After three mixed days of weather in Wellington the weather forecast had another say in our plans. This morning's forecast predicted bad weather arriving in two days. In two days we would have been in the Tararua Ranges, notorious for catching trampers unaware and resulting in rescue operations, or worse. We don't take those kinds of risks so we decided to skip around them and return another day when there's a clear weather window. After walking 6km from our accommodation to Waikanae we jumped on a bus to Palmerston North to resume the trail, going northward from there. 

The path to Waikanae was pleasant and followed a tranquil river nearly all the way. We also encountered quite a few people who immediately recognized us as TA walkers, and asked about our journey so far. There seemed to be a much higher awareness of the TA here than in some of the towns we'd passed through on the South Island. 

We found this peculiar bouquet of mushrooms.

And this collection of TA markers.

The section from within Palmerston North to our campsite was road or footpath walking. Consequently the scenery wasn't particularly inspiring and we didn't take many photos.

Today was our first, but by no means last, experience of walking along the side of a 100-kph highway for hours on end. There was just enough of a verge that we were more or less comfortable walking; although at a few points we decided to step off into the verge and stop walking entirely to let a few cars go by in both directions at the same time. The roads we are walking are definitely not the main highways, and have fewer vehicles, which does make it safer, and more pleasant than a continuous drone of cars would be.

We were able to stop in a small town for ice creams about halfway there, though, so that helped with the day's feeling.

After a really satisfying day in terms of kilometers completed, events at the end of the day took the wind out of our sails. We arrived at Mt Lees Reserve campsite near Bulls at 5:50 pm with 20 minutes before sunset, usually enough time to get the tent set up and dinner underway.

Frustratingly, it appears that our brand new 2-person tent has come with a fly for the 1-person version. In the process of trying to fit the fly over the cross pole, the pole snapped. We were both exhausted and hungry after the walk and the dew was already settling, which just amplified the frustration. Once we recognised that these factors were having a detrimental effect on our communication and decision making we quickly set it up as best we could and went to eat our dinner. NEVER underestimate how much hunger adds to frustration and poor communication!

Mt Lees Reserve is very nice, and we wish we could have gotten here a little bit earlier in the day to enjoy it. It even has a "Summer House" with a little kitchen, potable water, and electricity! As you can see, we made good use of it.

The tent kept us dry and we had a reasonable night sleep. Now (writing this the next morning) we're in a better headspace to solve this problem. We can't go on with an inadequate tent, but the retailer we bought it from is way down in Wellington, 152 km away. So today is a short walk into Bulls, and then: Problem Solving!