TA Day 71, Ship Cove to Madsen Camp, 17 km
After a very early ferry to Picton, the trail picks up on the glorious – and easy – Queen Charlotte Track.
TA Day 70, ‘slackpack’ Wellington, 15 km
It’s up steep Mount Victoria and Albert before visiting Shorland Park at the end of the island.
TA Day 69, Wellington
Blissful takes a “nero” walking through the Botanic Gardens and visiting bays strung like pearls.
TA Day 68, Camp Elsdon to Wellington, 29 km
It’s steep up Colonial Knob, then quiet Ohariu Valley and Mount Kaukau with Wellie views.
TA Day 67, Paekakariki to Camp Elsdon, 28 km
The Escarpment Track rises steeply with fabulous views of Pukerua Bay and the Tasman Sea.
TA Day 66, zero day
Trail Angels Rob and George insist I take a zero day and they give me Veet to finally clean up my legs.
TA audio narrative: weather window
The most important lesson I learned is if the weather is good, keep moving.
TA Day 64-65, Side trip! Mt. Taranaki
Blissful climbs Mount Taranaki to greet the sunrise on New Year’s Day as the first to summit.
TA Day 63, Waikanae to Paikakariki, 21 km
After tough mountain walking, it’s easy along the river, an estuary and the grogeous beach.
TA audio narrative: thru-canoer
Blissful hangs up her hiking shoes for a paddle on the Whanganui River.
