Te Araroa 15/02/26

Day 148, Invercargill.

A rest day in Invercargill today spent wandering around the town. I went to the outdoor shop and found they had a sale on Topo shoes which seem to be similar to the Altras that I have been wearing. I decided that I would buy a pair and consign my old split ones to the bin, hope I don't regret it!

Rather a big split 

I then used most of the day to visit a huge motorcycle museum with a fascinating display of old bikes and some cars.

Just one section of the museum 

Some nice sidecars as well

An old JAP Morgan

Visitors bikes outside 

Racing cars built in New Zealand also featured.

Begg Daimler V8 (2.5 litre)

After lunching in the cafe there I went to Haynes hardware store which is not only the best hardware store I've been in for a while but also has a collection of motorcycles as well.

Including Bert Munro,s 'worlds fastest Indian '

It had a streamlined casing for the record runs.

A quick visit to an art gallery with a couple of interesting works.

Interesting 

Made from gorse wood

Made from a solid piece of rock 

I also had a look in what was advertised as the world's largest gun shop before it was time to head back to the campsite where I met Pete, Dean and Paddy. Sometime was spent reminiscing over a meal in the campsite kitchen.

Racks of rifles

Te Araroa 15/02/26

Day 147, Riverton to Invercargill (3024)

An early start today after a noisy Saturday night at the campsite. It was much more peaceful in the hut last night.

An early start 

The plan was to be away by 06.00 as according to the trail notes there was a river to cross fourteen kilometers ahead that should be done as close to low tide as possible, low tide was at 06.00.

Hayden and JJ on the beach

Packing a soggy tent in the dark wasn't pleasant but three of us; JJ, Hayden and myself got down to the beach in the dark and started walking towards the sunrise.

Sun thinking about appearing 

It was good walking on hard sand and we set a good pace to avoid any problems with the crossing which, we had been told by a couple heading north the day before, was thigh deep.

Nearing the end of the beach 

We got to the river in good time, we averaged over 5 km per hour all the way down the beach. Totally unnecessary, the river was ankle deep and narrow. I'm sure it could have been crossed close to high tide.

Me, Hayden and JJ waiting for the restaurant to open 

We turned off the beach for a short walk to the Cabbage Tree Restaurant and had to wait an hour for it to open. Useful time spent in their garden drying tents and gossiping.

Decoration at the end of the sea defences

Lunch when they opened and then I set off on my own for the six kilometer walk to Invercargill where I had booked a couple of nights in a cabin in the holiday park.

Black Swans

Showered sorted out and walked into the town for dinner in another Irish Bar with a music session.

Building art in Invercargill 

Invercargill 

Invercargill 

Music session at the Irish bar

More exploring tomorrow.

Te Araroa 14/02/26

Day 146, Turnbulls Hut to Riverton (2991)

It was a dark, grey morning when I left the hut after a comfortable night. No mice, rats or possums to disturb me. The hut was a bit ancient and had a very uneven earth floor but there was a new long drop toilet outside, just had to negotiate the mud to get there!

Inside the hut

Unfortunately it started to rain soon after I started but it wasn't heavy. No trips or slips today despite the continuing poor condition of the trail.

New long drop

The beechwoods, bush, are really very beautiful when you stop watching your feet all the time. Interestingly there were quite a few tree ferns here, something I haven't seen much of since the North Island.

Mossy woods 

Eventually I reached a decent path that led to a car park and the road to Colac Bay.

Plants growing on a fallen tree

Unfortunately the hotel and campsite was closed for renovations so no lunch there. Down to the beach then for the walk to Riverton.

Fern trees

There is a bit of road for a while before I had to walk on the loose gravel beach which was hard going but then there were some nice bits where the path took to the grass to get round some rocky headlands.

Long damp road to Colac Bay

Colac Bay 

A climb over Mores Scenic Reserve on a well made track followed by a short road descent and I was at the campsite.

Up towards Mores Reserve 

Above the beach

Road down to Riverton 

A good soaking in the shower eventually got the mud off and I was off to the town for some shopping and a prawn curry with cheese and garlic bread at a café.

Riverton across the river

Old mining Locomotive at Riverton

Back to the campsite and bed ready for an early start tomorrow.

Te Araroa 13/02/26

Day 145, Quarry to Turnbulls Hut (2967)

It was dry when I woke up but as I was having breakfast it started to rain so once again I had to pack a wet tent.

Leaving the quarry in the rain

It was certainly colder today and when a rain squall came through it felt like winter.

Into the woods

The Longwoods reputation for mud isn't misplaced, it didn't come above my knees but there was plenty of it.

Beautiful but not easy to walk through 

The first part up to Little Baldy wasn't too bad and I got up to the swampy high ground without the mud going above my ankles.

Open ground but still soggy underfoot 

The section through the woods from there to the open ground around Longwood top however was horrendous. It was like walking through a river at times but you can't tell where the bottom is. I don't know what I would have done if my pole repair hadn't been successful.

Mud, mud glorious mud

The walk over the top on the open scrubland was very good but cold, The view to Riverton, tomorrow's destination was good but Bluff was not really visible.

Oh dear

Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood

The descent through the woods to Turnbulls Hut was a bit less muddy but very slow over roots and fallen trees.

And still the wet goes on

El Tejido keeping his feet dry

Stating to improve 

At one point I slipped when climbing over a fallen tree and looked up from where I was lying on my back in a tangle of branches and took a photo of a lovely tree.

Martins hut, ten people here last night 

This is an old gold mining area and there are various waterways cut round the hill all overgrown now are more traps for the unwary.

Becoming more ferny 

Approaching Turnbulls Hut 

I had thought of going past the hut and on to the campsite at Colac Bay but it is nearly twelve kilometers further with nowhere to stop in-between. I had enough mud for today anyway and although it means another stretch tomorrow I was happy enough to stop for the day.

A lovely tree (view from a prone position!)

The Longwoods are winning so far; broken pole, the ass hanging out of my shorts, both shoes split down the side and one gaiter ripped. But I will escape,🥴

Even hairier inside Turnbulls Hut