Days 69 and 70 (1,634 to 1,680 kms)
Need toy to catch the train back to Waikanae and where I finished last time. Over the next 4 days I will be slack packing. This means walking without a backpack, switching it for a more leisurely day bag. Each night I will return to Wellington, and enjoy the comforts of home cooked meals or going out with Caroline. The forecast for the next 4 days looks good, with rain only possible on a single day.
The next few hours I walked along the most civilized of tracks. Hugging the river as it headed to the ocean. The path and surrounding green belt was very well maintained. There were the occasional horse farm or riding club. Even when things could have got tricky, there was a nice boardwalk to smooth things over.
As I approached the sandy beach, there were gardens maintained by the local schools and peoples. Clearly a lot of effort has gone into this trail. Once at the beach I would follow it to Raumati, where Caroline my Uncle and a another friend would join me for lunch. Just another reason why this trail is so civilized. Off to my left is Kāpiti Island, a place we will have to visit one-day.
After lunch the beach walking continued, at least for a while. The tide was definitively coming in, but I had time. The trail turned inland for a bit. And then I was at Paekākāriki and ready to catch the train back to Wellington. It was a good day.
The following day I returned, this time by bus, as the train tracks were under weekend maintenance. Today was the day it might rain, but it didn’t. The morning was spent walking along the Escarpment Track, this follows the coast line but above the coastal road and train line. Lot’s of stairs, but a very beautiful track nonetheless. It takes about 3 hours to walk the 10 kms. I stopped a few times to enjoy the views, including the tip of the South Island.
Stopped at a small shop for a drink and an ice-cream. After this unhealthy lunch, I was joined by one of my cousins to walk the Ara Harakeke Pathway to Porirua. A nice pathway and super nice to catch-up with my cousin. She walks fast, and I had to quicken my pace to keep up. The ay ended with a bus ride back to Wellington.
