I remember meeting up with an old ex-boyfriend partway through walking the length of New Zealand and he said the weirdest thing... He said: "Where did this adventurousness come from? You weren't into the outdoors or adventure when we were going out." In other words he hadn't pegged me as someone who liked climbing mountains … Continue reading Who are you really?
mountains
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 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 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
Days 90-92 of #WalkNZ: The Tararua mountain range
I stood and stared at the squelchy pool of brown mud in front of me, a mixed look of disbelief and annoyance probably etched across my face. "Really! I mean really," I said out loud, to no one in particular. "Not more mud," I moaned. #WalkNZ was quickly becoming #WalkMuddyNZ. Here I was on the … Continue reading Days 90-92 of #WalkNZ: The Tararua mountain range
Volcano number 12: The last-minute volcano
After a wet day with thoroughly uninviting views, we awoke in the little French town of Mandailles to what promised to be better weather. There were pockets of blue in the sky (hurrah!) and while the tops of the higher mountains were still shrouded in cloud it looked like it was only lingering like a … Continue reading Volcano number 12: The last-minute volcano
4 reasons I love Snowdonia
There is nothing like getting out of the big city and into the countryside – goodbye car exhausts and concrete jungle, hello fresh air, mountains and adventure. Getting away from the noise and bright lights and reconnecting with nature is one of my favourite ways to de-stress and reboot. And what better place to do … Continue reading 4 reasons I love Snowdonia
Volcano number 9: The boggy volcano (part 2)
Day two of my ninth volcano, walking across the Cheviot Hills in England’s Northumberland National Park, and we were off. The rain of yesterday was gone, replaced by a gentle frost and lashings of lush sunshine. Now this was more like it. My walking boots were still sodden from yesterday’s dismal weather and bog-hopping. Pulling … Continue reading Volcano number 9: The boggy volcano (part 2)