A couple of weeks ago, I trod the Hadrian’s Wall Path in northern England from the east coast to the west coast. All 135km (84 miles) of it, walked in six days, passing through two cities, Newcastle and Carlisle, and following sections of ancient wall that had been built some 2,000 years ago to keep … Continue reading Ten things I learnt walking Hadrian’s Wall Path
Walking and walks
Days 66-70 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Motatapu Track
Calves screamed. Lightening strips of pain burned up the back of my legs. My lungs were in meltdown trying to support my muscles that sucked up the scant oxygen in my blood, while my heart seemed to be in its death throes as it attempted to keep up with the relentless uphill movement of my … Continue reading Days 66-70 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Motatapu Track
Days 57-63 of #WalkNZ part 2 – Ahuriri River and the Breast Hill Track
Sometimes the Te Araroa throws everything at you. Hot, cold, sun, rain, uphill, downhill, stunning views, monotonous boredom, walking like a machine, hobbling and in pain. Wet underpants. That was this section. Seven days. Demanding. Challenging. Totally worth it. But it didn’t start well. A 29km walk along a flat cycle way. Sounds easy, right, … Continue reading Days 57-63 of #WalkNZ part 2 – Ahuriri River and the Breast Hill Track
Days 45-55 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Clent Hills, Two Thumbs Range & Te Araroa’s highest point
I have now walked just more than half of the South Island of New Zealand on part 2 of #WalkNZ. More than 650km. Woozers! That explains why the tread on my shoes is looking a little bald and why I’m now slightly obsessed with food. The past 10 days have provided some of the best … Continue reading Days 45-55 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Clent Hills, Two Thumbs Range & Te Araroa’s highest point
Days 38-43 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Deception Track and the boyfriend’s rude introduction to Te Araroa
“So, what did you make of your first six days on the Te Araroa Trail?” I asked my boyfriend, who had newly flown in from the UK and was still suffering the after effects of jetlag. “Well, it’s not so much a trail, rather a route,” he mused. “The terrain is much wilder than I … Continue reading Days 38-43 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Deception Track and the boyfriend’s rude introduction to Te Araroa
Day 8 – 15 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Richmond Ranges
I can confirm that: Deep Heat does not deter sandflies; mice seem to have the magic skills of getting into a closed backpack to eat my peanuts; I have a selective memory of how hard the uphills are in the Richmond Ranges; five days warm up walking the Queen Charlotte Track is not sufficient for … Continue reading Day 8 – 15 of #WalkNZ part 2 – The Richmond Ranges
Day 1-5 of #WalkNZ part 2 – Queen Charlotte Track
It was cold. It was grey. Where the hell was summer? I shivered as I did some stretches before the official start of #WalkNZ part 2 began. Here I was at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, and less than a year since I was last here ready to walk the Queen … Continue reading Day 1-5 of #WalkNZ part 2 – Queen Charlotte Track
Part 2 of #WalkNZ begins
And so, part 2 of #WalkNZ is about to begin. I have just 1,000km left to walk to complete the 3,000km Te Araroa trail down the length of New Zealand. After having to pull out 20km short of the 2,000km mark in March this year due to a knee injury, there was no question about … Continue reading Part 2 of #WalkNZ begins
Day 134 of #WalkNZ: Decision Day on the future of the walk
After injuring my leg I'v been forced to make a big decision on the future of my walk on the Te Araroa trail down the length of New Zealand. Watch the video I recorded here on my Facebook page. It was a hard decision but the right decision to make. Thanks to everyone for … Continue reading Day 134 of #WalkNZ: Decision Day on the future of the walk
Day 126 of #WalkNZ: Injury in the Nelson Lakes
It's funny how long-distance walking undulates mentally as much as the mountains and hills that I hike along the Te Araroa trail. Last week, I was ecstatic that I'd completed eight days in New Zealand wilderness in the demanding Richmond Ranges in the South Island. This week, I have a dark cloud hanging over me … Continue reading Day 126 of #WalkNZ: Injury in the Nelson Lakes