The last day...part 1...walking the 24km road section.
It is so hard to believe that by the end of the day we will no longer be through hikers, we'll be people who have finished the trail. Everyone says it is bitter sweet, and of course it is. We are so happy to be finishing, but equally you lose a sense of belonging and purpose at the end of such an adventure.
Boots went on for the last time. Both of us are so excited to never have to put those socks back on our feet. There is a whole new level of hygiene/cleanliness that comes with through hiking. Showering once a week is adequate, rinsing socks under the tap rivals a new pair, and washing dishes with cold water and your hands will suffice.
We began walking at 6 am, as Nicki's flight meant we needed to finish walking soon after noon. It was dark, but with our headlamps beaming we marched through the dawn. At different times we would remember the enormity of the achievement, and felt overwhelmed with the moment. Other moments we just wanted to jolly road walking to be finished, and wished the end to draw near.
It is so hard to believe that by the end of the day we will no longer be through hikers, we'll be people who have finished the trail. Everyone says it is bitter sweet, and of course it is. We are so happy to be finishing, but equally you lose a sense of belonging and purpose at the end of such an adventure.
Boots went on for the last time. Both of us are so excited to never have to put those socks back on our feet. There is a whole new level of hygiene/cleanliness that comes with through hiking. Showering once a week is adequate, rinsing socks under the tap rivals a new pair, and washing dishes with cold water and your hands will suffice.
We began walking at 6 am, as Nicki's flight meant we needed to finish walking soon after noon. It was dark, but with our headlamps beaming we marched through the dawn. At different times we would remember the enormity of the achievement, and felt overwhelmed with the moment. Other moments we just wanted to jolly road walking to be finished, and wished the end to draw near.
Highlights and lowlights of the trail for the Cleland's:
Favourite part
S: Stag Saddle, the highest point on the the trail.
H: Stag Saddle too, amazing views, I just love anything that is high.
Least favourite part
S: Road walking. Especially the stuff in the North Island. Sometimes it would be road for 4 days straight...flat and boring road.
H: Some of the farm sections, particularly around Te Kuiti. Definitely biggest meltdown moment.
Best item in pack
S: Food! Apart from food it would probably be my hat. Kept the sun out and the rain off my face.
H: Walking poles. Those puppies stopped me from face planting numerous times.
Best and worst dehydrated meal
S: Beef stroganoff was the best...the worst would be the mishmash of flavours at the end of a stretch, all the leftovers just used up.
H: Satay beef...with a massive blob of peanut butter was my fav. Really any meal would have been good with peanut butter. Worst...maybe the lentil and tuna lunches with fake cheese flavour. Gross.
Weirdest thing that happened on the trail
S: Little rounded man running on a crowded beach, holding his shoes, in very small speedos that had wedged upwards.
H: Walking by Pohutukawa bay, a male nudist beach...they were all just so naked.
Life lessons from the trail
S: there have been lots of different ones, but one that stands out would be trusting in God. There is nothing too big or small for God.
H: So many. Simplicity of living is a big one for me. There is very little that we need to survive, and much of what we have is additional to our needs...which is OK, but it's about being content with little. That's my lesson.
Food craving for the end
S: Fresh fruit and veges
H: Chicken stir fry.
What are you excited about post trail
S: Not having to be on the move everyday. Just waking up and going to bed in the same place.
H: Clean undies and Selwyn having a shaved face.
Would you do it again
S: Tough, I'm pleased we did it, I have a real satisfaction to have completed it. The satisfaction, the friendships made and the sights seen outweigh the tough times.
H: If I knew at the start what I know now...I'm not sure I would have started. I might have doubted if I could do it. But I'm so pleased I didn't know; if we knew how hard things would be we'd never do anything.
Favourite part
S: Stag Saddle, the highest point on the the trail.
H: Stag Saddle too, amazing views, I just love anything that is high.
Least favourite part
S: Road walking. Especially the stuff in the North Island. Sometimes it would be road for 4 days straight...flat and boring road.
H: Some of the farm sections, particularly around Te Kuiti. Definitely biggest meltdown moment.
Best item in pack
S: Food! Apart from food it would probably be my hat. Kept the sun out and the rain off my face.
H: Walking poles. Those puppies stopped me from face planting numerous times.
Best and worst dehydrated meal
S: Beef stroganoff was the best...the worst would be the mishmash of flavours at the end of a stretch, all the leftovers just used up.
H: Satay beef...with a massive blob of peanut butter was my fav. Really any meal would have been good with peanut butter. Worst...maybe the lentil and tuna lunches with fake cheese flavour. Gross.
Weirdest thing that happened on the trail
S: Little rounded man running on a crowded beach, holding his shoes, in very small speedos that had wedged upwards.
H: Walking by Pohutukawa bay, a male nudist beach...they were all just so naked.
Life lessons from the trail
S: there have been lots of different ones, but one that stands out would be trusting in God. There is nothing too big or small for God.
H: So many. Simplicity of living is a big one for me. There is very little that we need to survive, and much of what we have is additional to our needs...which is OK, but it's about being content with little. That's my lesson.
Food craving for the end
S: Fresh fruit and veges
H: Chicken stir fry.
What are you excited about post trail
S: Not having to be on the move everyday. Just waking up and going to bed in the same place.
H: Clean undies and Selwyn having a shaved face.
Would you do it again
S: Tough, I'm pleased we did it, I have a real satisfaction to have completed it. The satisfaction, the friendships made and the sights seen outweigh the tough times.
H: If I knew at the start what I know now...I'm not sure I would have started. I might have doubted if I could do it. But I'm so pleased I didn't know; if we knew how hard things would be we'd never do anything.