Day 57 (1,377 to 1,384 kms)
The weather of the next week is forecast to be great, so time to head back to Te Araroa. Hopefully the wether holds until after the Tararua’s. I had some unfinished business between where I stopped a few weeks back and the center of Whanganui. I would be staying with Bobbie and Alan for the night, and they had the very excellent suggestion that we could walk these 7 kms together. It was a pleasant walk along the Whanganui River and the conversation and company was nice. Later that night we all feasted on lamb from Bobbie and Alan’s sheep farm.
Day 58 (1,384 to 1,416 kms)
Today was the day of the tidal crossing. The notes fro this crossing are a little vague, so was not entirely sure how this would all work out. Two weeks prior I left the trail because of this tidal crossing, as I would be at the crossing at exactly high tide, which is the absolutely worst time to cross. Unfortunately there is no join place to camp and wait for the tide to go down. So, I thought the best thing to do is leave the trail and return later when the timing of the tidal crossing would be better. However, my two week gap with the 28 day cycle of the moon, meant the timing of the tidal crossing is now exactly as bad as it was two weeks prior. The new plan is to walk there and see how high the water is and make a decision once there.
Alan dropped me off just after 7am, and it was nice to get an early start. First task of the day was to ascend the Dune Hills staircase. This involved more huffing and puffing than I expected. The rest of the day was pretty flat and involved numerous roads. The roads were busy, not sure where all these farmers are going.
Eventually I made it to the end of the road, crossed some farmland and was on the beach. I had some time on my hands and went for a swim, which was very refreshing indeed. I headed up the Turakina River about 700 meters, which involved a considerable amount of bush bashing. I found the recommended crossing point, dropped my backpack and waded in to see how deep it was. It was knee most of the way across, with the last 10 meters coming up to the mid waist. I returned to get my backpack which I then carrie across above my head. Fortunately the river was not flowing and thus posed no significant danger. I had to fight the bush again on the other side before eventually spilling out into farmland and the last few kms to the camping ground. With the tidal crossing behind me, I am not completely sure the water is tidal at this point.
Camp was nice, was able to get a free cold shower and enjoy the evening sun.
