Jo Herrings Adventures

I farewelled Original Sue who had joined me for the last night in Kerikeri and my host Victoria from the backpackers dropped me at the start of the Waitangi Forest to avoid a dangerous road walk.  The forest road was a hive of activity with trucks passing regularly in the first 4km.  Finally dipping off the active logging route to Te Puke Road the evidence of ancient Bush amongst falled pine felt like a very visual symbolism of Aotearoas botanical history. Right on the backblocks of New Zealands Treaty Grounds seemed all the more poignant. I reached Mt Bledisloe for lunch and the sweeping views across the Bay of Island. I also got to catch Original Jen who had gone off trail to deal with blisters and had a support crew ferrying her as needed.  The forestry road swept through Mountain Bike tracks passed the Waitangi Golf Course and finally the Treaty Grounds. Sadly they are all fenced off so my visions of a welcoming home to Waitangi were squashed. I took a brief rest is the reception a

Having taken a Zero Day in Ahipara (non walking day) at the end of 90 Mile Beach and my left hip rotation continuing to be tight I really needed a Physio. I had decided before leaving home that I would skip the Northern Forests. The forests are mostly closed due to Kauri Dieback and road walking was the alternative and the one forest which is open had recently had 100 trees falled in a storm so I reasoned I can do them another day.  I headed straight for Kerikeri on Labour Day and a new experience - Hitch hiking.  Hitch 1. Murray in his Hilux. Murray neighbours the camp ground and asked if I wanted a lift as I ambled past his truck. He dropped me into Kaitaia minutes later on his way to go peacock shooting.  Hitch 2. Rex took me from Kaitaia almost immediately after Murray dropped me off, in his Toyota twin cab to Awanui to link up to State Highway 10 to Kerikeri. Rex offered me prayers for my hip. I was happy for them!! Hitch 3. Robyn and Mike in the Toyota twincab Hilux and their meg

After shaking of the first flu I have had in 2 years. The date was set, the bus north was booked for the 19th of October.   I scrubbed the floors of the house - ready for tenants, put out my rubbish bin and threw my bag in my sister in laws car and made for Akoranga bus stop. It was 7.25am and I had been up since 5. Today was going to be a long day!  I sat with Linde my pal from a recent River Crossing course all the way to Kaitaia. Tempering our nerves with chatter.  I signed the Te Araroa Registration at the Kaitaia information centre and jumped into my prearranged shuttle with Paul up to the Cape. I shared the journey with Neil who was bound for Spirits Bay while Fredirik was joining me on the Te Araroa.  Paul had hosted and driven hundreds to The Cape over the last 15 years including welcoming Geoff Capple on his maiden voyage so he had some great yarns which helped distract me from the reality lying ahead. The start. Cape Reinga It was a brilliant overcast day with views from the