Jo Herrings Adventures

The great Ocean Beach escape allowed me a day to rest while Teena worked, her daughter studied for exams and husband went on a free-dive course. I also had the pleasure of watching my trail friends come off the gnarly hike I had ahead of me. Feet up on the deck I waved them through. The Bach hospitality was wonderful. Relaxed and restorative.  The following morning Teena dropped me back to Oceans Beach with a day bag (hooray) to conquer the Bream Head Track. A beast I had been eyeing every step of Oceans beach two days prior. It was a slow exposed grassy ascent followed by a full on climb with ropes and frantic footing. So grateful not to have more weight on my back, to make these climbs simplified and sticks to steady the climb. I slipped on a tree root on a narrow section reminding me to concentrate. The views from the glimpses between the forest canopy stretched north to my yesterdays and south to my tomorrows long hike and Marsden Pt and Bream Bay. I was on the hunt for the los...

Having farewelled the community of Teal Bay, Sue and I set off on the Helena Bay Ridge walk through the El Chaparal gate and along private land. The forest was a nice change to the beaches and forest roads I had walked this far. Through nīkau and tōtara and brushing through our forever ferns. The Ridge was steep in parts and small glimpses of the coastline and the surrounding forest came through the canopy. Sue soldiered on as I dawdelled uphill, which meant she missed a spectacular face plant up the hills as I miscalculated my footing. Howling with laughter I twisted onto my back and slide 3 metres back down hill so I could bush bash around the mudslide that had seen me kiss it! Initiation of Te Araroa complete.  The path lead onto farm trails sparingly marked with Orange markers but with plenty of curious cattle in adjacent paddocks. Leading onto a quiet and partially shaded gravel road twisting down the Valley. I was given a hitch with 2km to the main road to avoid a rouge bull,...

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 t...

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...

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 ...

Catching up on this blog after a 4 year hiatus.  I arrived back in New Zealand in 2015 fresh off a Rugby World Cup final win and with excitement to settle in my homeland. Life in Auckland has been consumed by working in Consulting and home ownership, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the gifts the New Zealand has to offer.  I've observed I have a pattern of 4 year cycles. There was Valencia in 2007, then the Big Adventure in 2011, Moving home in 2015, and In 2019/2020 I renovated my house and it wasn't quite the challenge that scratched the adventure itch enough. The pandemic has challenged us all and after long periods of isolation, working at home, lockdowns and the heartbreaking reality that motherhood might not be my path in life and with new found reduced restrictions something had to change After winter beached on the couch I have decided to see my own country Aotearoa New Zelaand.  This October I will be taking on the Te Araroa Trail, 3,000km walk ...