Day 336...Thoughts

Monday 26th September 2016

It’s always the same, when the clocks spring forward the weather turns to being wet and grey, probably a lot like my mood today after, unfortunately, a rather restless sleep. I do sometimes wonder whether, by writing this blog, I perhaps question my wisdom in wanting to share my dream with others. Don't get me wrong, there are so many who are really supportive. But there are others who, for whatever reasons, seem not to like, enjoy or even want to understand what I’m attempting to do. But that’s okay. I’ve laid bare my heart, my hopes and my dreams and, as such, I’ve laid myself open to everyone. Rather than fretting about it, perhaps I should see a positive and thank all the followers, some more frustrated than me with the weather and the delays, for giving me the nudge and reminding me why I’m here.

I need to also remember it’s important to get the very most out of this once in a lifetime experience of mine. At the same time, it gives me an opportunity to thank Mother Nature yet again for allowing me the luxury of taking such a long break from the city life; to remind myself of what I’m trying to achieve, not just for myself, but for all those people (like the lovely lady I met yesterday) who are endeavouring to make the world a better place for those suffering from mental illness.

It’s been a day for wondering and pondering, a day to try and get mundane jobs out of the way, a day not only to try and better understand others but also myself, a day for me to re-charge my batteries, to stay calm and remain focused. Having achieved most of the stuff on my whiteboard list, I felt more positive and so sat down and wrote a short piece for a running community that has apparently found some of my adventures inspiring. I find it uplifting that they seem to understand the connection between mental health and the need to exercise.

With the writing done and dusted, Anna and I then made a quick journey to the supermarket to get some more food and, as she’s not so keen on my colour selection of nail polish (just three different shades of red!), to do some girly things and buy her some new ones. By then, I really needed to go for a swim. Both to clear my head and to do some exercise, so I dragged Anna with me, although I was the one who needed to stare at the line on the bottom of the pool, to feel the balm of the water and enjoy the soothing air bubbles and soon enough I had 3km nailed. Afterwards, we spent far too much time in the hot spa where Anna actually got chatting to a lovely man called Ben who was really interested in what we are doing or at least, attempting to do! 

My smiles today:
Anna enjoying a sleep-in.
Really beautiful people.
Positive, uplifting attitudes.
Anna so happy now that her iPhone is working again.

My thoughts today:
Some people really understand me and my journey. Others? Well, there’s still time for them to try and understand.

From Red and Anna, wishing you all a very good night.

Ma Te Wa.

PLEASE TXT REDZ TO 2446 TO DONATE $3 TO MHFNZ.

West Coast day to sit and think.

Cape Egmont Lighthouse.

DAY 335...Hooray, Longer Days!

Sunday 25 September 2016

I crashed and went to sleep way too early for most last night. Anna reckons I was asleep by 8pm and she struggled to get to sleep, eventually dropping off late in the night, only to wake up numerous times. I woke up too, but only to listen to the torrential rain on the roof. It's rather nice to be feeling warm when you’re snug in your sleeping bag! We also got buffeted about by wind gusts that came and went with the rain storms. A crazy night for sure but, as well you all know, traditionally the first day of the clocks springing forward always is a little crazy.

Today raced by so quickly that, before we knew it, we were glancing at our watches and going “Cripes, is that the time already!" It started with poor Anna stirring a little later this morning, so I was well-behaved and sat quietly reading a book. Once she got up, we ate breakfast and I watched with interest as a local flew his drone nearby in the park. All I could think of was “What if it loses contact with the controls he’s holding then just drops out of the sky into the foaming ocean beneath us?” But that didn’t happen and after a while he left with the drone tucked under his arm.

We headed to the information centre to learn about local walks and soon we were off to tackle the York Loop Track, wearing our wet weather shoes (our trusty crocs and Tevas). As we sloshed through numerous streams and puddles, once again we had to agree that we did indeed have the correct footwear on, as boots would have been water-logged and our running shoes/trainers ruined in minutes. It was a beautiful trail with lots of boardwalks along the creek and a swing-bridge crossing, which is always so much fun. The Egmont National Reserve has some wonderful bush and, if only it had been warmer, it would have kind of felt like we were walking in a tropical rain forest. It was charming and a fun little hike, perhaps not very challenging at all, but nevertheless great for us both to get out and enjoy this first longer Sunday.

After the hike we had a well-deserved stop for lunch next to a lovely, well-groomed Stratford park, with even more trails and tracks. But we had other plans and, as already mentioned, the day was running away from us. We both felt like swimming, so went to the local pools in Hawera where we spent some time just doing lengths, the only problem being that we had hired swimming goggles and they tend to leak unless, of course, you have them on very tightly. That may seem like a relatively small issue as once you get underway swimming it’s okay but, when you are trying to prise them off your face afterwards, it hurts more than a little and you’re left with horrendous goggle marks round your puffy eyes!! However, the swimming made my day. Water therapy is, quite simply, the best.

I realise it’s later than I thought. Cuzzie’s dashboard clock is proving harder to change than I thought, so at 4pm I realise it’s actually 5pm!! Oh well, not much else to do now. The local campsite is next door to the pools, so we do a quick loop round then book in and hook up to power for the night. As I checked in, I met up and chatted with a lovely lady, Bernie, who also works supporting families through mental health illness. We could have talked all night! Yet again, I come across someone doing amazing things in their local community for a cause about which I believe so passionately, having total respect for everyone and anyone helping deal with mental health.

Another plus for being away from the coast is to have good internet and cell phone coverage. We both need to get things done and it gets a little tiresome having to stand on the top of Cuzzie trying to get coverage! Honestly, it requires a whole new level of patience to get the Internet stuff done each night I can tell you. It’s a typical Sunday-type dinner tonight, roasted veggies with roast chicken and I’m so looking forward to it. I have to smile today as another week is due to start and I’m still going round in small circles in Taranaki. Another location I’m getting to know really well! But there is a glimmer of hope; maybe later this week. Mother Nature, please can I make it to New Plymouth this month?

My smiles today:
Unlike myself, daylight saving has arrived.
Swimming pools. Balm for the soul.
Walking on and in the watery trails.
Waterfalls and swing-bridges.
Feeling just downright happy.
Sunday roasted veggies. Yum!

My thoughts today:
Two of the hardest tests in life:
-The patience to wait for the right moment, and
-The courage to accept whatever you encounter.

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

PLEASE TXT REDZ TO 2446 TO DONATE $3 TO MHFNZ

Walkway by the stream.

Swing bridges are so much fun!

Another walk, another waterfall!

Day 334...Cliff Top

I rolled the weather and it was as expected; I could start to paddle okay but it is not always this easy. My destination was looking everything but nice, so I got dressed and walked out to the cliff-tops at Waipipi Beach and sat until just on sunrise. I was cold, disappointed at me, and totally gutted by the weather. It was not even totally beautiful out on the ocean where I was looking at the sunrise but I was happy to sit and torture myself for awhile. Others were lucky that phone coverage was nil.

Back to Cuzzie where I crawl into my sleeping bag and just lie still "thinking". Everybody tells me you can't change the weather so just move on. Well it is not my best skill. By 7am I am reading, then by 8am I am back looking at the ocean. I was also kidding myself that my headache was gone! Then I had to chat to another person to check if I was losing my courage for this weather, or had I been correct in my call. I know my decision is final on if I paddle or not, but maybe I was missing something. I managed to get through to a poor tortured soul and again off loaded my thoughts. We had a rational conversation about when and what I needed to see regarding the weather, so I hung up feeling sort of okay.

A hot shower and then breakfast so I can wash down some more painkillers, but they did nothing to help! By the time we were sitting in the local library using the free wi-fi I had to go grab some reliable stronger painkillers from the local chemist. Even the semi-sunlight made my head ache! I actually think it has been closer to a migraine status this past couple of days, but I hoped a spell in the calm of the library corner would help! It did a little, but both Anna and I were amused at the local kids all in the library playing computer games rather loudly, and with much cussing, then being told to "be quiet" by the lady working the front desk! A calm quiet location. Well, not really.

At midday it was closing time so we headed to sit at the ocean and eat lunch. Waihi Beach, I was dreading driving there thinking I would see a calm, flat ocean but I was so pleasantly happy. White caps and wind greeted us on arrival. I had been correct on staying on dry land today. Lunch eaten and then a long walk on the beach. We completed the other end of the Waihi to Ohawe beach walk and this afternoon the tide was going out so we did not get wet feet or have to clamber up high to get away from the waves.

Along the beach we looked up at the huge cliffs above us. It is still hard to describe the wind blown cliffs, the jagged crumbling hills, and the slips and rock falls there have been off the cliffs down to the ocean and the beaches we are walking along. Holy heck I would hate to be there when a slip did happen, it would send a few more hairs grey with the fright of it. We did stumble on an unfortunate sight of a cow that had fallen off the cliffs above and was in a crumbled dead heap at the base of the cliff. Poor creature I hoped it had not suffered.

Back to Cuzzie and tonight we are having a dinner that makes us smile; a dinner of homemade NACHOS! We are freedom camping tonight, looking out at the ocean on top of a cliff far enough away from the edge so we do not fall over it! But we are a little concerned as the rain falls that we are parked on grass and it may be mud in the morning! That would be a bad start to the day. 

Another day in South Taranaki; another day slips away with no paddling and my previous planning is looking a little bleak! Thanks to Anna for her first two weeks with me and thanks to everyone else for the continued support. Tomorrow is the start of daylight savings! WOW! Now that is something to smile about.

My smiles today:
Sitting on the cliff-tops watching the sky wake up.
The noisy library.
No painkillers since 11.30am. I am headache free at last!
Cuzzie and her heater, it rocks on a wet cool evening.
My life, my frustrations, my damn nightmare of a dream.
Another walk completed.
Anna and her constant lookout for sheep and lambs.

My thoughts today:
"You're mad. Bonkers. Off you're head. BUT! I'll tell you a secret. All of the best people are." - Alice in Wonderland.

Goodnight from us in Cuzzie (Red and Anna).
Ma Te Wa.

PLEASE TXT REDZ TO 2446 TO DONATE $3 TO MHFNZ

Waihi Beach South Taranaki. Such incredible cliffs.

Day 333...Frustrations and Headaches

Friday 23 September 2016

I go to bed with a headache then wake up 2 hours later still with it thumping at my brain. It is looking like a tough next day. It's still thumping all night, and it got a little worse when the damn smoke sensor decided to sound a warning alarm around 1am. Why? For what reason!?! I am not sure but this morning it was in a few too many small pieces to be able to explain! All I can say was there was not a fire or any smoke in Cuzzie. But the sensor, even when repaired and returned to the ceiling, kept on with its ear piercing screech. It is now tucked under the seat! Just for the moment.

Then too soon it was time to wake for the weather forecast. I was looking at Saturday as a possibility, and last night I got my hopes up but this morning they got smashed! The leaving beach was okay, but the destination beach was looking bad! My mind spun, and my head hurt. More pain killers for breakfast and a couple of hot lemon drinks. I left Anna to try and sleep in as she also had been awake half the night. 

I walked down to the river, looked out to the ocean, just sat trying to keep warm in the morning sun and keep away from the cold wind blowing down the hill at me. There were a few white-baiters out and a few dogs walking themselves along the river and the sand dunes. I was not interested in walking as my head still hurt a lot. I sat in Cuzzie quietly reading then when Anna awoke I tried to eat breakfast. I ate some food but there was a lack of energy or any enjoyment as I forced the food down.

We got on the road and had decided we best go for a nice gentle stroll along Stony Creek walkway. It was a little bit of back tracking to get to this walk, but we had all day. We got onto the track and enjoyed the sunshine and the small bush reserve we walked through, but soon the walk turned to farm paddocks and we spent a good part of the next 20 minutes dodging fresh cow manure. The walk I have to say was not a favourite and we both have been on much prettier tracks.

Back to Cuzzie and back on the road South, stopping for food-top ups in Opunake and also lunch out at the lookout watching the waves and listening to the wind trying to blow Louise off the roof of Cuzzie. More pain killers for me and then we headed back to our favourite little spot at Waverley, where we have just sat for the late afternoon and tried to enjoy the warm sun and hide from the continued blasting wind. I walked to the cliff tops and sat in the tall grasses hoping the fresh air may do me and my pounding head some good! No luck at all, not even my numerous painkillers are working today.

I have rolled the weather and it has not improved for the better at Ohawe, I am gutted and so many thoughts sit inside me. I try and make a phone call or two, but my mood is tested when we have no real quality cell phone coverage. At last I talk to someone who just has to listen to me have a total meltdown and then try and rationalise with me about marginal paddling, my pre-set wind parameters, my anger and my tears. I am honestly not easy to talk to when the weather lifts me and my emotions up and down so much it is bloody tough at the moment. If I could safely gap it, let me tell you I would. But gapping it up this coast line is not a safe or a great option. That I know but wish I didn't. 

Tomorrow the rain returns. It starts calm enough and then by midday it is roughing it up. 1 or 2 hours in rough, I can do, but 8 hrs in rough weather I am not going to do. "If in doubt stay out." I close my eyes and hear the old seamen saying it to me! But it is no easier. Someone please come and stare at the calm ocean in the morning with me and feel my disappointment as I know it will not last or be like it further up the coast. I am on a tough cliff edge at present, gutted and frustrated, and with a thumping headache. With a heavy heart I crawl into my sleeping bag and wait until 5am, until the weather rolls and I know whether I stay or move up the coast a little further.

My smiles today:
Sunshine.
The green paddocks and the blue ocean of Taranaki.
Calm tranquil campsite.

Goodnight from Red and Anna.
Ma Te Wa.

PLEASE TEXT REDZ TO 2446 TO DONATE $3 TO MHFNZ

Day 332...Highway 45 South

Thursday 22 September 2016

When you are freedom camping and park in a location like we have been in for the past few days, there’s no way you can expect peace and quiet every night. It’s not Fiordland after all! We got home late from the Blues concert for which I have to say the hugest “THANK YOU” to the guys for the invite, it was wonderful and so were the people and their generous donations to our journey.

Hot soup for supper once we got home and got quickly into bed. Just as it hit midnight, we had a car pull up nearby with a group of young guys enjoying the night. They chatted loudly for the next hour or so, enjoying a few beers and typical male-type storytelling and yarns to each other. It was impossible to sleep with all that going on and eventually they left, just on 1am. I think I actually nodded off to sleep soon afterwards but that darn inbuilt alarm system of mine had me wide awake again before 6am. I had to pull open the back curtain to stare down at the incredible view, at one point believing I had seen something large, dark and exciting out in the waves. But it only turned out to be rocks! With a view like we have at the moment, once again it was hard to get moving this morning. I could stay in this miniature time bubble on my hillside in Cuzzie, looking out at the ocean, forever and ever!! But all too soon it was time to depart, time to head back to reality on the South coast of Taranaki, to remind myself of the route I will have to paddle, and of the fact that I will need to leave this city.

Before we hit the road, we use the reliable internet and mobile connections. But I really need to feel the salt and the sand and to stare out at the ocean I am going to be paddling on. As I’ve said so many times before, staring at a calm mill pond starts to eat me up and I begin doubting my weather-reading abilities. Firstly, into town with Anna to do a couple of chores, then off along coastal Highway 45 South. To Anna's delight, we soon see paddocks with calves and, at last, some sheep with lambs. We’re both happy to be heading back towards the remote coast and the farm paddocks. We swing out to the coast on every likely-looking side road, inspecting beaches and possible check-point locations. As we drive along, we watch surfers in action, and the wind-surfers carving up and down out at Cape Egmont point. All really good reasons why I’m not actually out on the water myself today!

The wind is blowing with its predicted fury and, sitting out at the Cape, we rock and roll about in Cuzzie while eating our lunch. There’s quite simply no way of getting away from the wind today and though a sheltered, sunny location would be nice, it seems a sheer impossibility. We had planned to stay out on the Cape overnight, but quickly decided against it! Instead we just drove, with me showing Anna my possible landings and then, the very best part of the day, locating the boat ramp for Opunake. Just past the surf beach in the next bay, a calm landing spot! Now that was one of the best finds, all thanks to ourselves for having given up on Google for once and spending the day weaving up and down all the back roads. I was one happy person!! Did we stay at Opunake? No, we just kept heading South and, in the end, located a cute little campsite beside a river, the Kaupokonui Beach Motor Camp.

Now, we are tucked up on a small, sheltered hillside, sitting on an old chequered blanket, enjoying the afternoon and evening sunshine and I intend to stay in this position until it gets too cold to sit outside. We’ve walked some of the sand dunes, we’ve done our camper-van chores and I’m ready to start cooking dinner so we can have an early night. We’re still playing the waiting game and, although it sure is rather painful, there could be an awful lot worse things to be doing, like living in the city, tramping on the treadmill of life.

My smiles today:
I have completed my 22 days of push-ups.
A warm pot of salty/sweet popcorn.
Back down the coast, waiting. 
Clean, tumble-dried clothes.
A sign on the beach "Beware of wild cows in the sand dunes!"
Cell-phone coverage is a total nightmare. More of a wry smile really!

My thoughts today:
“The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat or the sea.” - Isak Dinesen (Thanks to Nat.)

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

PLEASE TXT REDZ TO 2446 TO DONATE $3 TO MHFNZ 

Day 331...Meeting of Many

“Rain, rain, go away, come back another day” is exactly what I thought when I woke up this morning. Weather checked; good at the beginning but bad at the end, so another “no go”! But, to be fair, that was not unexpected. Even so, I had a great feeling that it would turn out to be a good day. Well, maybe I was just trying to be positive!

I read for a little while, then looked out from this amazing vantage point, admiring the ocean that still manages to look beautiful, even when it’s raining. Eventually, the morning clears and, as I had threatened last night to go and do some exercise on the beach below before breakfast, off we went down a huge, black, sand bank instead of walking down the flight of stairs. We did sprints on the beach, said “Hi!” to a cute little puppy called "Bronson" that Anna fell in love with. Then we stopped to chat to another visitor, Paul, who was walking by with a very impressive camera that made our little camera rig look totally pathetic! Back we went to our training regime which, by then, consisted of sit-ups and my daily press-up challenge. All done and dusted before breakfast! Up the sand dune we ran, well half way up, and then dashed back down again, enjoying being just the two of us on this almost deserted beach.

Then we climbed the stairs. What a way to end our morning on the beach! Up way too many flights of stairs. Only when I’d reached the top and got back to Cuzzie, did I realise that I must have dropped my T-shirt, so had to run all the way back down the steps and then all the way back up again. This time, I counted them, 242 in total. Was I ever glad when it was finally over and that it was time for breakfast! But as we sat there, Paul (who we had met on the beach arrived and we all sat in the sunshine in the back of Cuzzie, chatting not only about his photographic world but also his world of ultra running and a great running group called: Good People Run (www.goodpeoplerun.co.nz).

What an inspiration he is! It’s really brilliant to meet such like-minded people beach walking and loving the mountains and the hills. We chatted for over two hours, until everyone’s stomach started to rumble loudly and we realised it was time for us all to all get on with our day. Me to answer a number of calls I’d been ignoring, while Anna was face-timing her Dad to show him this amazing view and have a chat. By this time, I had consumed way too many coffees with no food and had a major head spin going on! I just had to eat. Then it was "I must now do"; return calls and reply to e-mails. Fortunately, we had the back doors of Cuzzie wide open absorbing all the sunshine, while still being totally protected from the wind. Just then, a small bull mastiff jumped in, said “Hi!”, checked out every nook and cranny of Cuzzie, then jumped out again, only to return a little later for another visit before heading back to his owner’s car. A crazy, busy, little location now the sun is out.

We also chatted to a wonderful gentleman who stopped and wanted to know more about my journey, before recommending his favourite fish and chip shop for takeaways and giving us $10 towards our takeaway dinner. He was out walking his two beautiful white, fluffy dogs called Charlie and Jasper that Anna could very easily have dog-napped as well. We didn’t venture very far today, at least not until the need to head into the city for supplies got the better of us. Into the museum we went for some free wi-fi and much needed recharging of the laptop. It’s been a wonderful day but we still have more to do because we’re going off with Greg Copeland and Peter to listen to a night of Blues music.

My smiles today:
Some of the best views on the West Coast of the North Island so far.
Meeting so many new and interesting people today.
Sunshine and warmth.
Sand dune running.
The fickle weather further south.
Some incredible e-mails today.
Looking at life through the minds and eyes of younger people, especially my support crew who are so refreshing and inspiring!

My thoughts today:
Call me crazy, but I love to see people happy and successful.
Life is a journey, not a competition.

Goodnight from a very happy Redz NZ Team. Ma Te Wa.

DAY 330...Thankful For Every Day

Awake on top of a hill, looking out at the most incredible view. Gosh, what a vantage point we have! I sit and look out of the back windows of Cuzzie for a couple of hours, just staring at the beautiful sight, at the waves and the Tasman Sea that just disappears into the horizon. The sky is clear and there are islands in front of us with seagulls whirling about above the ocean, doing a great impersonation of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.

We are in the perfect position this morning for, right behind us, Mount Taranaki is in full view. We sit and eat breakfast, not too keen on actually getting the day underway or moving from this location. On top of this, Anna has a great book to finish reading and I also have a couple of books I need to start reading, as well a couple I need to finish reading, not to mention one book I will need to read again once I have finished this West Coast sojourn.

People and cars come and go. Some people just sit and admire the view, some go for beach walks with their dogs, while others (who we just happened to get talking to) are showing guests visiting New Plymouth this amazing place. We spent a good while chatting to Peter, Steve and Greg about the Jazz and Blues night that’s happening here tomorrow night, with the result that we are now going along to listen and enjoy the show. Thanks for the invite guys, we are totally looking forward to tomorrow evening.

We then head out to get some fresh air, driving up the northern flank of Mount Taranaki to go on a couple of gentle board-walk trails, the lower tracks of which have been described as the “Goblin Forests”. They were nice and gentle so our feet remained clean and dry, with no slipping today. Rather than call it a day, we headed down the road a little to do another short loop track, but very quickly discovered a very wet and rather muddy trail which was not at all what the information map had described! As we crossed our sixth stream, we started to question if we actually were on the short loop track! Having more or less decided that we must have got it wrong, I checked the map that we luckily had with us and, having studied it carefully, realised that we had indeed managed to get on the wrong track. Instead, we were on an outer, two hour-long hike back up to the village and information centre! Ummm no, not today, thank you! We turned and retraced our footsteps back to Cuzzie! By now, both of us had wet and muddy trainers; not the desired result at all! Dry, clean and easy was what we had wanted today. Oops, it had been my mistake! Back we headed into the city to go swimming at the local pools and get back to our rather lovely overnight spot.

It has been another challenge today and I’m not sure why, but these past few days I have felt impatient for the first time this month. Now I need to refocus, pull back and be content to wait, to align myself and as suggested, I don’t necessarily have to position myself on this side of the Cape! I could always return elsewhere to wait. Thanks Jase, for the reality check! Anna has asked me why I seem to be more frustrated this week than last. It’s a good question but I’ m not sure I actually have the answer to it. Let me think on that awhile.

Another day done, three new tracks walked and enjoyed, eighty more pool lengths swum and some really wonderful, positive calls from some really wonderful, positive people. My own feelings today, and every other day lately for that matter, have been to actually stop and remind myself of how brilliant each and every day is; that my days off the water are always open to adventure and to doing and seeing things that so many other people will never have the opportunity to do and see. My nomadic life has amazing highlights on a daily basis and each day, I remind myself of them. Thank you all for not only finding my journey interesting but for helping me to achieve my personal dream and, by talking about it and spreading the word about my passion for this epic adventure, thus helping to support The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

My smiles today:
My ongoing relentless obsession.
Jeez, muddy trainers!
Being able to laugh at myself, in spite of everything.
Still being able to train and exercise, despite the weather.
Reading. Food for the mind.

My thoughts today:
"Be thankful for every day." - Pooh Bear.
“What day is it today?” asked Pooh. “It's today!" squealed Piglet. "My favourite day!" said Pooh.

Goodnight from Red, Anna, Pooh and Piglet. Ma Te Wa.

Red contemplating the first creek crossing.

DAY 329...Monday Blues

It’s not all that easy to start another week without wishing that I was paddling. Sorry if I seem to harp on about it, perhaps one day I’ll manage to find the right words to describe the daily torture through which I put myself and anyone else close enough who happens to be awake! I quite simply don’t seem to have the ability to read the weather forecast, good or bad, and then accept it for what it is. Today, at 5am, although the weather forecast could be worse, it’s still well over the limits and boundaries set out for this section of coastline. Back into my sleeping bag I crawl and start sending a few explicit text messages to whoever I think may be up and about before I try to get back to sleep.

There’s also a new look to my hand this morning, the bruise I gave myself yesterday having spread completely across the top of my hand, as far as the top of my knuckles. There is one positive thing however, at least the crazy swelling has gone down. Well, nearly. When I wriggle my fingers, there’s no longer any pain, so I‘m presuming there’s nothing much to be concerned about.

The question I ask myself is: “What can I do to keep my mind off the lovely ocean on this side of Cape Egmont?” The answer doesn’t come easily! Firstly we have breakfast, then a couple of coffees, and afterwards we take a walk into town to locate a second-hand book shop for Anna and myself. It was a pleasant enough walk along the coastal walkway, dodging numerous dog walkers, motorised mobility scooters and what have you. Having located the second-hand bookshop, we browse for a while, buying a couple of books apiece at a bargain price. Then we head off to get some other important jobs done. To grab some food, to fill Cuzzie with diesel, and to refill both the water tank and our gas bottles. A quick snack for lunch, then it’s off to the information centre to catch up on some wi-fi stuff and charge up electrical equipment.

It was good to sit in the entrance to the museum and get some more things done that have been on my "to-do list” and now they are all more or less done. As we sat there, I muttered something about not being active enough. Anna turned and said “You are a busy-body!” To begin with, I was a little bit taken aback by her comment, but then I realised that her American definition was totally different to what the NZ meaning of a “busy-body” is! We live and learn something every day.

On our return to the car park we found a small piece of paper pushed under the windscreen wipers. When we realised it was a parking ticket, we were gutted. Only fifteen minutes over what we had paid for and a $12 parking fine (ouch!)! We headed off, out of the city, to go for a bit of a hike. Our first location was not quite as we expected so instead, we started to climb the Paritutu Rock. It was a fast, steep, stair-hike, followed by a lot of clambering up the side of rocks, but it was worth every step. Wow, what a view from the top!! Then we had to clamber all the way down again, holding onto a chain and trying not to think too much about the possible damage we could do to ourselves if we slipped and fell. To be honest, I was was relieved to get off the rocks and back to the steep steps on this descent.

Then I needed to swim so while I headed off to study the black line on the bottom of the swimming pool and listen to water and bubbles, Anna put up her hammock among the trees and listened to her music. We met up again just on sunset, racing to get a final glimpse of Mount Taranaki, as the clouds had cleared. We also wanted to sit up high and look out at the West Coast sunset which never seems to disappoint. With the back doors of Cuzzie wide open, we had the best view tonight and cooked up a scrumptious one-pot dinner.

As usual, I rolled the weather, tried to wave a magic wand to change the look of the forecast, then frowned, then looked at it all over again, muttering more random, repetitive
comments. Anna has already learned that it is a waste of time even trying to comment! But tonight, in this truly beautiful location, is a lovely way to end what has otherwise been a mentally troubled day for me.

My smiles today:
Being called a "busy-body"!
Waves and being by the ever-changing ocean. 
Swimming. Somehow it manages to clear my head. 
Friends who have to deal with my raving and ranting.
Second-hand book stores.
Sunsets on the West Coast. 
Dodging mobility scooters!
One-pot dinners, they rock.

My thoughts today:
When nothing goes right, go left!

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

West Coast never disappoints.

Anna hanging out by the sea.

Red climbing up Paritutu Rock.

DAY 328...Wet Rain

We thought we had escaped the rain but it returned again and we heard it most of the night, as well as the thundering crash of the swells as they hit the caves and beach below us. Even our lovely, quiet little campsite couldn’t avoid the storms. I read for a while, then pondered the weather before eventually going off to sleep. But, by 5am, I was again staring at the forecasts and resigning myself to another few days off the water. It’s not only still raining but blowing as well. Optimistic as ever, I had dared hope that a weather window would appear over the next day or so but, already, it has started to disappear.

We make some grand plans to remove ourselves from this location and, hopefully, the rain and do a little more driving. Eventually, we get on the road and believe it or not, it is still raining lots. Anna giggled as I said the most ridiculous thing "Gosh, this rain is really wet!” “Um, yes, Red, rain is usually wet!” she replied. This off-the-water torture is really getting to me at last. My brain is turning into mush. We decide to drive until we see an okay location to stop. Being time for lunch, we try hard not to park on a slope as it can get a little tiresome trying to move around in Cuzzie and having stuff fall out of the cupboards onto our feet; it's not great for anyone! 

After our lunch break, we just keep driving towards the lighter sky in front of us, desperate to have a calmer, dry beach and to get away from the "wet rain"! At last we find a rare patch of sunshine and decide to go for a well-deserved walk through a little beach-side market where we watched some really brave kids running in and out of the ocean, swimming in very cold water. But, then, kids never seem to feel the cold.

Tonight Anna found a sheltered spot and got out her hammock to watch the sunset. I sat in Cuzzie and looked and looked at my weather forecasts. Did they change for the better? Absolutely NOT! Where we are at the moment is calm but this is not the section of coast on which I need to paddle. I sit and wait and get frustrated and wish I had never even bothered to write up a plan! Will I ever learn? No, probably not. But it seems to be entertaining for everybody else to see and hear my continuous frustration. Endeavouring to put these thoughts aside, I go out into the kids’ playground to do my push-ups for Day 18 of the 22-day Challenge. By the time I was done, so was daylight.

Dinner cooked, laptop stuff successfully updated. The totals look like 4453kms paddled! For your information, that‘s about 2.2 million paddling strokes (500 per km give or take.) Yes, I have counted every single one of them on a regular basis!

My smiles today:
People-watching. Now that always makes me smile.
Coffee and chat with Anna.
Whittakers dark chocolate. Truly the best!
Anna relaxing in her hammock under the trees.
Weather forecast. Do I smile or cry?

My thoughts today:
Sometimes you are delayed where you are because your angels know there is a storm where you are headed, so best be grateful.

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

Coastal views up ahead.

DAY 327...Water Under the Bridge

Well, thank goodness for being parked in some kind of shelter and up high up on tar-sealed ground, as it rained so intensely and heavily last night, with gusts of wind so strong that I almost felt I was back down South in Fiordland. Although we were parked up high in a safe location, we both admitted to waking up and listening to the continuous storm as it raged overhead most of the night. As always, I was thankful not to be in a tent and to have had the internal roof leaks sorted out in Cuzzie. But holy heck did it rain and, when we got up this morning, the car park was awash, with streams cascading down the hillside. We both wanted to go out for a hike but, it was so wet, it was hard to get motivated, knowing that if we went out, we would be soaking wet on our return and there was not a chance of anything staying dry. Nevertheless, I drag on my hiking clothes that are already slightly muddy, my faithful red rain jacket and my wet weather shoes (my crocs!). Anna also dressed accordingly and, with her Tevas on, we zipped up, pulled the rain hoods up over our woollen hats and headed out into the storm.

Wilkies Pools, the Kaituni Track and Dawson’s Falls. I know I had been there before but this time, we were walking along in streams of water, with waterfalls cascading down steps and banks on all the tracks. But the great thing was that we actually had a plan for afterwards, and we sure needed one as I was in no doubt at all that we would be wet, cold and needing to eat and get stuff dry on our return.

Our first creek crossing was a bit tense but we made sure we were safe and helped each other get across. There was a lot of water racing down what had once been a small creek but, this time, we were knee-deep in rapids! Along, up and round, then down through the most enchanting magical native bush. To be honest, I think the rain actually made this hike even more special. I discovered that Anna liked to jump in the many puddles and to skip and hop along this track. We both had mud and stones in our shoes and had to stop often to remove them. Then, as we got to our second crossing, we both looked at each other! Holy crap, this really was flooded and, as it poured with rain, we clambered up and down the side of the raging creek, trying to find a crossing that wasn’t too scary or dangerous.

What I didn’t want to see was Anna washed downriver! As we clambered back up the metal steps, so as to have a look along a higher bank, to begin with we thought we had it sussed out; plank-walking out over a flooded creek and sliding along a large green pipe and then walking along a higher cliff, hoping to find access to the river rocks further downstream. But that idea was foiled so it was back to the metal steps and back to the plank. Then Anna said “Why not use the stray plank to get across the swollen raging waters?” Now this was a mission in itself because it was a long, very heavy moss-covered length of wood. But, somehow, we managed to carry, drag, push and shove it down the steps, across the rocks, in and out of the shallow rapids, almost getting dragged downstream at one stage by accidentally letting the end of it go down and into the water and the rapids. However, while Anna sat on one end of it, I heaved and lifted it up and out.

At one stage it seemed impossible, but no way were we giving up and turning back until we had no other option than losing the plank down the rapids!! Eventually, we got it resting on a huge rock close to the rapids then, ever so slowly, we heaved it out across the waters onto the other side. Again, it took a heck of a lot of energy and between many fits of hysterical laughter, we got that plank set up for the rapid crossing, weighing it down with a huge rock and also with me sitting on the end of the plank and getting Anna to crawl across. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it was best for her to go first but she got over safely and then it was my turn. As we both sat on the rock on the other side, having got safely across the rapids, it was high fives for both of us for the fantastic effort from the Girl-Grylls team!

Off we headed on the rest of our hike, happy not to have had to re-trek back over already covered ground. Along the way, we walked over small sections of rain-soaked moss and grass and down slippery slopes. I was the first to land with a great “thump” on the ground, putting my hands out to try and break my fall but it felt like I’d nearly broken my wrist as well! Thankfully, all was well and onwards we headed. Then a squeal from Anna, as she went down in a slippery heap onto her butt and into a huge puddle. Now both of us were soaking wet. We did, nonetheless, make it safely to Dawson’s Falls but let me tell you, there were a few more slippery moments along the way.

As we climbed back along the road towards the car park, I pulled my rain jacket sleeves up and looked down at my cold, wet, numb hands and, to my horror, the knuckles of my right hand were bruised, distorted and had a huge swelling the size of an orange. It gave me a real shock as apart from my hand being cold and numb, it had felt okay. Having pushed and prodded it, I finally decided it was okay. There’s a picture of it (in all its technicolour glory) but, maybe I’ll share that with you some other time.

Once we got back to Cuzzie, got warmed and dried off, we headed back to civilisation for food, for a local laundry to do some washing and dry off some gear. Then we ate lunch at the side of a busy main road before, finally, escaping back to a quiet, much-loved campsite for a Mexican dinner, hot showers and a well-deserved rest. The rain has at last stopped and there’s an air of calm tonight, both internally and externally! Everyone seems to be in their camper-vans watching TV, getting ready to watch some rugby match or other (!) but we have our books to read and our heater on.

My smiles today:
Torrential, horizontal rain.
Only one other person on the track today!
Laughter and shared funny stories.
Hot chocolate drinks.
Small towns shut by midday on Saturday.
People always seem grumpy when it rains, but it only makes me smile more.

My thoughts today:
Go for a walk in the native bush and listen to the magical whispers of the old trees.

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

Bridge building by Team Girl-Grylls.

Red and Anna's plank bridge.

Our "trails" for today.

DAY 326...Discovery

Calm and tranquil is the best way to describe our night last night. We had tucked ourselves into a corner of the campsite sheltered by the increasing wind during the night, so when I first wandered across the grass towards the kitchen this morning I had to look up at the clouds to reassure myself that there was actually a strong wind blowing, as per the forecast I had just been looking at. It was there alright.

Back into Cuzzie to write up some more thoughts and my past few months of kayaking life. This sometimes is easier than others so for a little while it kept me occupied until Anna awoke. As she sat eating her cereal, still in her sleeping bag to keep warm, we planned out the day ahead. I talked about my life pre-paddling and then it was time for another "lets go discover the real NZ" typical adventure day.

It did take us awhile to get going, me chatting on the phone to a gorgeous friend who is on the road as well. Being nomads from Auckland, we are trying to plan a catch-up and it is a must do. (I can't wait Sue and Steve.) It was also hard to leave this very quaint little campsite, but we do have to return when I am due to launch and are both very happy about that thought.

We headed off to firstly pay for our overnight stay and then head into Eltham to look at the cheese shop we had been recommended to stop at. It was a day using google maps and a day to be reminded that google maps does not ever suggest for the prion to do U turns! It always takes you around the block. We discovered that when we went around a very large road detour to get to our destination after a small wrong turn! Anyway it is all the more reason to just have a good laugh then continue along another hardly ever driven road!

Then we went towards Rotokare; the rippling lake. Stopping first to visit an Alpaca farm, Anna was keen to see some young newborns. Sadly there were none. We found out that they are not due until November. But the adults looked really cute, albiet when we did approach them to say hi they tucked their ears back giving the impression they were rather grumpy.

It was cold and raining by now so we headed inland towards the lake and as we passed through two pest security gates, which then opens up into a very beautiful and tranquil lake and scenic reserve, we sat and ate lunch then dragged on our raincoats, selected the appropriate footwear (Crocs and Tevas!) and headed for the boardwalk track through the bush and the wetlands around the lake edge. Sometimes with the walks where you are not expecting anything amazing, you seem to find the most wonderful discoveries. This 4.5km is one of those. It was effortless but totally beautiful the entire time. Saddleback birds, fish in the clear streams, fantails, pigeons and a couple of other bird calls I could not recognise. It is a must go place. Even beautiful on the wet and blustery day.

Now back at Cuzzie, our feet and shoes washed in the clean fresh lake it was later than we thought so it was time to head for a new overnight stop. Towards the mountain we thought was a nice option. Up we drove, past snow on the roadsides and then to Stratford plateau DOC carpark. The snow was just about to the base of the mountain and it had been one week since snow had fallen. As we parked up it became apparent that the wind gusts where horrendous, it made me nervous for Louise on the roof and we moved to a lower location to see if we could get shelter. It was only a little better, we sat for awhile with the heater on and braced ourselves every time the wind gust tried to rip the kayak and the roof racks off. The weather was not to improve the forecast said! Also the cloud cover had completely blanketed out any view we did have pre-nightfall. We then and there decided to relocate. Off I drove about 30 minutes further to a location I had been to before with Martin and they also have parking overnight (Dawsons Falls). It is more sheltered and beautiful bush surrounds us, we are tucked away from most of the storm, with the heater on and enjoying the early evening.

Today has been about discovering, and how this landscape changes as soon as you leave state highway 3. It is incredible. As the rain falls on the roof of Cuzzie we make bacon and potato soup for tonight's heart warming dinner. 

My smiles today:
$12 for the Waverley campsite. A powered site, hot showers and kitchen.
Brie cheese circle for just $2.20.
Alpacas are rather cute.
The grey water saga in Cuzzie. (That story is for another day.)
That Martin got Cuzzie stuck in sad on a beach! A local had to pull him out!
Poor Anna just told me that I managed to hit her in the head with the orange mud ramps the other day!! Holy crap it is a wonder she is still on this journey with me!
Homemade soup. I love it.

My thoughts today:
Life is like a mirror, it'll smile at you if you smile at it. Well best I keep smiling

Good night from Red, Anna, Cuzzie and Louise.

Ma Te Wa.

Lake Rotokare.

Enchanted forest.

DAY 325...Taranaki Here I Come

What a thrill to be paddling today on the West Coast, to have a smooth launch off the Whanganui boat ramp and then head out of the river mouth and onto the ocean with not a wave in sight. As I headed out, so did a small orange motorboat with a couple of guys out for a spot of fishing on this wonderful morning and I got the New Zealand man head-nod as they sped past. Looking up, I saw the sun appearing through the clouds almost unable to believe that, all of a sudden, it could be so calm again.

Saying another “thank you” to whoever happened to be listening, I marvelled at the intense and impressive cliffs running the length of this coastline. Checkpoints came and went smoothly today, with Anna taking control of working the VHF radio with consummate ease. Cuzzie was parked up high and could easily be seen by me, as was the pink shirt worn by Anna on the beach. In fact, so smoothly did everything go today that, at one stage, I actually thought about doing a few extra kilometres in addition to the relatively short 35 km. paddle. But then I reminded myself that a well-executed and completed plan is always a better idea. After all, well do I know what it’s like when I try to push onto a beach about which I have no information and crash-land in a disastrous way! As I keep telling myself, what is the point of writing out a plan and then turning what could have been a great day into a total nightmare?

As per normal, there was a moment of thinking that the paddle was going okay and then Mother Nature tried to throw me by chucking in a few breaking swells, making me quickly paddle out further as I pass Wainui Beach. The last 12kms to Waipipi Beach was somewhat contradictory; a swell to the left, a current heading south, me heading north and a wind not sure where it was wanting to blow. Then, having got my final brief from the beach from Anna and locked down all my gear, I started counting waves. Three big swells, then calm out the back and that was the cue to paddle, paddle, paddle. Oh, and now, I’ve been given the ultimate prize, winning the dunce’s cap for today's landing! Don't get me wrong, it was another dry landing, but I was thinking I was helping Anna by shouting over the waves as I rushed towards her. I was trying to say “Grab the front of the kayak!” But, out of my mouth, came "Grab the back!". No wonder Anna was looking at me in shocked disbelief! "Grab the back!" What the heck? I’m still not sure why, or what got my tongue and turned my instructions the wrong way round but, really Red, sometimes you are truly and totally not worth listening to!!! Maybe a lack of water? Dehydration? (Anna did ask if she should let Andy and Jase know. Ummm, no. Please don't tell them!) As I got out of my kayak, the words echoed in my head, “poor Anna!” I cussed myself and said “sorry” for yelling the exact opposite of what I actually meant to say. Do I dare say that it seems to be a girl thing I suffer from? Or maybe a brain fade. 

Anyway, thank goodness we were able to laugh about it afterwards, as we carried Louise up the hill to Cuzzie, doing the normal unload and putting her back up on the roof rack. We also stopped to talk to two lovely people, Mark and Ann, rock fanatics who were off to hunt for fossils on the beach below, as well as in the caves. In what seemed like an incredibly short time, we were able to discover an awful lot about each other. I love learning about others and hearing about their fascinating lives. As I have said in the past, everyone has a story to tell and those two were no exception, with a particularly interesting history.

Then it was up the hill into the quaintest little campsite with fees to be paid at the Waverley Library. Somewhat strangely, we had to call the library for the codes for the door locks on the showers and kitchen. Tonight, we are the sole occupants of the entire grounds where we are protected from the wind by the trees and enjoying this very special location. Officially, we are now in Taranaki.

A late lunch, with a huge hot pot of popcorn. I was enjoying it so much that, when I went to step over the low table we had erected in Cuzzie, I tripped and sent half the popcorn flying over the floor and seats. All Anna could do was fall about laughing. Then I had to try to scoop up all the mess, my share now being a little gritty from a coating of black sand! You get what you deserve, I always say!!

This afternoon I worked on e-mails and a blurb about my journey to date. A brief overview of 325 days and what I’m trying to achieve; what message I started out to deliver. Here, I have to say a huge “thanks” to Anna who is another wiz on the laptop. She has a degree in tourism and I’m so lucky to have her on-board with me. But now, dinner and a hot shower are calling and a satisfied team sit in Cuzzie, blog-writing and reading books. Thanks for a lovely welcome to Taranaki. The weather for my paddle today was absolutely stunning!

My smiles today:
The mouth of the Whanganui River was incredibly calm today, as was the ocean.
Me and my irrational brain!
Anna laughing hysterically at me and my antics.
Another dry landing!

My thoughts today:
Smile at a stranger and you may just change someone’s life.

Goodnight from Red, Anna, Cuzzie and Louise. Ma Te Wa.

The incredible cliffs at Waipipi Beach.

DAY 324...Girl Power

Have we got an off-road story for you today! But firstly, we shared a coffee or two with our new American friends before taking our farewell of them, asking the wonderful campsite owner, Phoebe, to take a group photo in front of their gorgeous floral camper-van before Ginna and Tyler headed south to Wellington today.

After breakfast, it was time for our second attempt to get to Rotorangi Lake, so off we headed along Highway 3, turning inland on another "hardly ever travelled NZ road". Before long, after going up and over the Rotorangi farmland, we were surrounded by native bush, among pine trees and happy to be seeing such an amazing countryside with such beautiful sights. We passed some guys working on a slip on the road, then just kept on driving. There wasn’t another soul on the road. Until, a little further on, we meet a large truck heading in the opposite direction to us. In a friendly gesture, Anna pulls over on a section of the farmland road to give the truck room to pass. We both wave and get the head nod back to say “thanks!”

But, as we attempt to get back on the gravel road, the fun begins. Cuzzie's back wheels start to spin. Anna looks at me and says “Oh no, I think we’re stuck!” I reply “Don't worry, we’ve got just the right tools! The orange ramps, they work brilliantly”. Grabbing them from behind the driver’s seat, I jump out onto the very wet, rather soggy ground into which we have sunk. “No drama”, I think to myself, “we’ll be out in a few moments, don't stress!” I jam the ramps under the tyres and jump into the driver’s seat. After all, given my muddy moments at Kaihoka Lakes, I consider myself a bit of a pro at this type of thing! Well, let me tell you, this time the pro was really tested!! As the wheels spun, we just got deeper. I then had to admit that it wasn’t going to be quite as easy as I had thought and the “no stress” moment flew out the window.

The spade was now needed to dig the mud away from the wheels and, as I leaned on the fence, suddenly I leaped into the air and yelled loudly. The bloody fence had an electric wire running along it and I had just been zapped!! The mud was now mixed with sheep manure and, with every ramp change and wheel spin, I got more and more mud and manure. Not only on myself but also on the ramps and the spade. Anna was in charge of making sure I stayed straight on the ramps and keeping them under the wheels, so she wasn’t able to stay that clean either.

After what felt like an age, we seemed to be making a little headway, but it surely wasn’t a “no stress” quick fix today. I even had to get the rubber front mats out of Cuzzie and put them under the wheels for traction as well! By this stage, we’d done nearly an hour of damn hard work. Then, just as we both thought we were getting to grips with the mud, I stalled Cuzzie! That made me cuss big-time! Time to have a re-think: okay, perhaps we should go walkabout to try and find a farmer. No, let's try just one more time!

As I revved the engine and got speed up, I made it onto the ramps (yippee!). As I look in the wing mirrors of Cuzzie, guess what? The local farmer comes by, driving a big red tractor with a huge bale of hay. Introducing himself as Craig, he laughs with us at our dilemma and compliments us on our efforts, then suggests hooking us up to his tractor with a chain and dragging Cuzzie out. "Ummm", I say “I’ve got this dirty, Craig, can I just give it one more try?" Now, we have an audience! Just what we need. I floored it one last time and Cuzzie and I were back on the gravel after a few skids in the off-road mud. Go Girl Power!!

I’m sure my farming background helped me once again and my Waikato farming family should feel very proud. Go Waikato and North Carolina girls!! Doubtless the local farmer, who gave us a nod of approval before he disappeared, would have a great story to tell his mates. In the end, we were both just relieved to be back on the road. Five kilometres further on, we were at the fresh water lake at last! Having washed mud, sheep manure and goodness knows what else off ourselves, Anna headed inside Cuzzie to make lunch while I got on with washing the ramps, mats, spade and all the other tools we’d used. At which point, it chose to start raining!! By then, I no longer cared about being wet, actually enjoying the refreshing feel of the rain, rinsing both me and my equipment clean. When Anna returned to tell me lunch was ready, we looked at each other, both still dripping wet, then just laughed and laughed and laughed. Holy crap, what a muddy morning!

Lunch was duly scoffed and enjoyed, by which stage we both needed a walk in the bush. The walk we had been planning to do for the past two days. In places it was pretty muddy underfoot, very much like being in the rainforest with Nikau palms, pungas and plenty of water. It wasn’t a long walk today but it proved a pleasant end to the afternoon. On our drive back along that crazy road, we took photos of goats and lambs, promising each other to pull over for no-one on the return trip, no matter what the circumstances! On the way to our campsite tonight, I stopped at Waipipi Beach to look out over the ocean, to show Anna my next planned beach landing and to go for a long, refreshing, windblown stroll, while Cuzzie perched high on the cliffs above keeping watch over us.

What a brilliant end to a crazy day, a day that neither of us would have dared dream about or, maybe, we'll have nightmares about! Campsite set up and dinner done, followed by a soak in a hot tub tonight as a special girls’ treat.

My smiles today:
Hot coffee with new friends.
Sharing information about South Island locations with them.
Mud and sheep manure.
Orange ramps at the ready!
Girl Power.
Craig, the farmer, giving his nod of approval.
Cuzzie on watch duty at the top of the cliff.

My thoughts today:
Either you run the day or the day runs you!

With our complexions looking all the better for the application of some unintentional mud packs, it’s “Goodnight” from Red, Anna and Cuzzie. Ma Te Wa.

More American friends, Ginna and Tyler.

Washing the mud and animal manure off my beloved orange ramps.

Cuzzie watching over the sea while we walk down the beach.

DAY 323...Off the Beaten Track

Washing done, clothes tumble-dried, a quick shower, updates on my journey sorted from my Garmin watch onto my online history, together with the stats of this trip. Oh, how I dislike this part of my life! But at least it was done while drinking coffee and eating breakfast. The sun was trying to shine today as we said our “goodbyes” and gave big hugs to Martin who had decided it was time to start heading south to see this amazing country of ours. Accordingly, the crew pounamu was passed to Anna and then we were off on our day’s adventures.

Once stocked up with some food supplies, we headed for Lake Rotorangi. Anna was in the driver’s seat and what a trip we had on the narrow, back-country roads once we left State Highway 3! The route we took can perhaps best be described as “the road hardly ever travelled". The forest and native bush got better and better the nearer we got to the lake which is in an amazing location. As we drive, the highlights for both of us are the many small animals and birds. Of course there were the standard cows, calves, sheep and lambs, but we also had horses on the roadsides, donkeys, numerous bush turkeys, pheasants and lots of goats hop-skipping along in front of us!

As we rounded one corner, there were not only sheep, lambs and goats, together with a baby kunekune pig in a paddock, but also a llama; it was almost like driving through a farm animal theme park! Before we get to the lake itself, we arrive at an archway, fronting the entrance to a long, narrow tunnel carved into and through a massive hillside. I was scared that Cuzzie might prove too tall to get through but, after stopping and carefully checking, we proceeded, keeping well to the middle. Thankfully, she made it through okay (if only just!) and we both gasped at the magnificent view on the other side. Out of everything we saw today, that sight was totally amazing.

Once at the lakeside, we parked up, had lunch and looked out the windows, scanning for the start of the walking track but alas, weren’t able to locate it. We headed back along the same route, happily absorbing the incredible views and travelling safely through the tunnel again, eventually arriving in Hawera where we checked out the town and its crazy water tower in the centre. It was only then that I realised the usually reliable Google map had taken us to another section of the lake, no wonder we couldn’t find the hiking track next to the boat ramp which was where the brochure said it should be! We had been at the wrong section of the lake and at the wrong boat ramp! Jeez!! That hike has now been postponed until another day.

We headed to Ohawe beach and the ocean, to feel the rain on our faces and walk along the shoreline, looking up at the massive cliffs beside us, with green foliage giving way to brown and golden earth. By chance, we stumbled on an incredible waterfall cascading down through rocks onto the black beach. Anna said that it all looked so beautiful. She was right. This coastline is like nothing else I have ever seen and, even on this misty, wet day, it has that special, rough, tough beauty that we tend to look past and can sometimes miss all too easily. The beaches may not be golden but, let’s face it, how many places in this world have black sand beaches? Very few I’m thinking and, again, it’s so nice to hear from overseas visitors what they love about our country for it makes us look at things again and see them through fresh eyes.

We have to scramble high up on the rocks on our return walk as the tide was nearly full and the waves were making sure we noticed them! I had to look over my shoulder a couple of times to make sure we were safe and not about to get wet. We returned to Cuzzie, got out all the ingredients for making homemade nachos with mince, beans, melted cheese and avocado, topped off with sour cream. Anna declared it to be utterly delicious, and even my modified version with the cheese and sour cream removed was pretty yummy as well. After dinner, a couple from another camper-van came to visit us and share stories. Earlier, Anna had discovered that Ginna was from her home town and Tyler was also from the USA. What a crazy, small world we live in! We discussed the South Island; where to go what to see. How can I even begin to tell them how to see everything in just three weeks? It's a totally impossible task!

My Blog is late after eating, chatting and then doing my mandatory twenty-two push-ups. As I sit writing it, I look up at my whiteboard planner which sets out how and when I think I can complete this crazy journey. It seems okay put down in writing but it’s not yet okay on the water, so we will just have to keep on hiking and moving from one place to another. As well as DOC, maybe Tourism NZ could recruit me to tell everyone about the hardly-ever driven roads of New Zealand now that I have been on quite a few!

My smiles today:
The back-roads and the discoveries along the way.
The archway entrance to an amazing tunnel.
The waterfall we saw along the beach today.
Nachos. Yum.
Cats at the campsite. NOT making Anna smile.
E-mailing Martin to check he has made it to the South Island.

My thoughts today:
Everyone has a story to tell and every day produces surprises, who you meet, what you see, where you go. So live your life to the full, because you just never know what might happen tomorrow!

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

The amazing carved tunnel.

Black sands at Ohawe beach.

Waterfalls on the beach.

Day 322...Heck of a Hike!

Sunrise is always a good time to head out to these wild West Coast beaches for an early morning walk and this morning, Martin joined me, so I was a tad late getting onto the beach this morning! We had to sidestep up and over the many tyre marks where people had been having lots of off-road fun in their utes and other vehicles. With the result that much of the beach was looking like a sand race track. We walked as far as the river and stood looking at a very stuck-in- the-sand ute across the other side. Something that presumably happened late last night, but we couldn’t get any closer to investigate further. We turned and walked back in the cold wind towards the campsite at Koitiata then made way too much noise getting out the dishes and breakfast stuff in Cuzzie so that Anna had no other choice but to get up and join us as well!

While they ate their bread, jam and cheese breakfasts, I talked, did some dishes and then made some really bad pancakes that were just about edible but certainly not pretty or in picture-perfect cookbook condition. We had a very vague plan for a hike today but firstly, we needed to fill up our water tank and secondly, get some details from the local I-site in Whanganui. Once that was sorted out, but feeling only half successful so far as the available information was concerned, off we headed up the Whanganui River Rd, to hike a little of the Atene Skyline Track. Supposedly, it would take two hours for the short walk and six to eight hours for the full hike. As we were running a little late, we felt the full day hike might be a little too much.

We hit the track at 11.30am but, as we climbed up the first section over farm land, clay tracks and past heaps of rather unattractive gorse, we seemed to be at the top rather more quickly than the expected DOC timings, so we agreed to push on and do the entire track. I was keen to get at least halfway in time for a late lunch, so off we went, hoping that we wouldn’t end up by taking the whole eight hours! We climbed and walked along the highest points of this ridge, with amazing views, lots of lung-busting steps and, just when we thought we were at the highest peak, we realised that there was still another one to go.

The track did become far more interesting and, even up on the ridge, we were surrounded by native bush. We saw lots of goats on this track and heard even more of them off-track in the bush. We finally made it to the last trig station, up lots of steep steps, our lungs needing to breathe deeply and our legs hating the continual up, up, up. Then it was across, up and down, till we got to the end of the ridge and started a very steep, knee-jarring decent to the road followed by a couple of kilometres hike back to Cuzzie. Even with a stop for lunch and with 16 kms covered, it had taken us only 5hrs 30mins, arriving back just on 4pm. Nice work team!

After chocolate bars for all, more water and a plan for our overnight stopover, we headed back into Whanganui and then out to the Castlepoint campsite. With Cuzzie powered up, dinner underway and a long, hot shower for me, Anna and Martin headed to the on-site hot tub and sauna rooms. All in all, a good, hard hike and I’m satisfied with this day. Perhaps not as satisfied as I might have been had I had been able to get out paddling, but I’ve visited another new location and done a new track (and a memorable one at that). If there is such a thing, maybe I should be a new track reviewer for DOC! 

There were a few sadder moments today, as we passed by a couple of dead lambs and a dead baby goat but there was nothing we could do except keep moving on. As I hiked, I also thought about how far I still have to go and, typically of me, I have again broken it down in my mind into small, achievable goals so that, hopefully, I can be home for Xmas. But, as ever, Mother Nature is in total control, so I’ll just have to wait and see.

My smiles today:
Lambs everywhere we looked.
Hiking among the hills and peaks of Whanganui.
The roadsides covered in daffodils.
Leftovers for dinner. Yum!
Long, hot shower at the end of a day’s tough hiking.
The reward of a dark chocolate Sante bar at the end of it.

My thoughts today.
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in, day out.

Goodnight from Red and the team. Ma Te Wa.

Views from the tramp.

High up in the sky.

Day 321...West Coast Wow!

As we parked up last night, the sun was setting, the beach and ocean calmed, and the sky continued to keep turning a deep red until the sun dropped and disappeared beneath the ocean. There was still a little bit of a wind and it got cold as night fell. But the calmness of the ocean had already been mind-blowing for me and, according to the forecast, it was going to get even calmer by morning. Really? Was this Mother Nature showing me that she can be nice?

We all curled up in Cuzzie for dinner, Martin in charge of the BBQ outside and me on veggies inside, while Anna got used to having to wear a few extra layers. But, once we got the heater on and the cooking going, inside Cuzzie was warm and cosy. A discussion ensued and a plan made about the checkpoints for the following morning’s paddle and soon we were tucked up in bed, Martin for his first night in his camper-van and the girls in Cuzzie.

I woke to update myself on the weather, listening for the sound of the waves and any wind. Nothing! It still seemed as if the forecast was near on perfect. Under 10 knot winds all day and (get this) only a 0.4m swell for my departure. It was nothing short of a miracle! I pulled on my clothes and walked down to the water’s edge, brushing my teeth! I stood there in utter disbelief, watching the small soft, fluffy waves that, as the forecast had predicted, rolled gently onto the beach. I was smiling on the inside and had a warm, pleasant feeling about today as I headed back to Cuzzie to warm up my gear, cook some breakfast and make coffee.

This morning I had plenty of time and, by 6.15am, I was sitting happily eating hot pancakes and drinking my celebration coffee. The sky was light now and, as the sun rose, the water looked even more impressive. Anna and Martin were both up before 7.00am and we unloaded Louise from the roof. We then walked her down to the river mouth, with not a wave in sight! I did mention to Anna that this was, indeed, miraculous, and not a normal West Coast sight at all! I was given the push out onto the river mouth and gently paddled over and out on the gentle swell. The only thing that got wet this morning were my toes! It was more than incredible, it was fantastic!

Once on the water, I settle into my day’s paddling, but not before I take a picture of Mt. Egmont, in all her full glory, looking like a Mr Whippy ice-cream, floating on top of the ocean so far away in the distance. Then, as I look back across the beach and the sand dunes, I see the Tongariro Ranges, covered in snow and looking absolutely amazing.

Today's check points went well. Only on the first one were the team in their black hoodies, so it took me a long time to pick them out against all the driftwood but, from then on, one of them would wear the pink sharkskin top and that made it far easier to locate them. The beaches looked like highways with 4WD utes and cars, motor bikes and quads whizzing up and down the river mouths to go fishing, with whitebait nets on the back of the vehicles. A stunning Sunday for everyone it would seem!

I had some Google assistance locating the boat ramp and, as I got near the harbour entrance, I again had to stop and say a quick “thank you” to whoever it is who is watching over me. The entrance to Whanganui River mouth was like glass, with not a wave or any swell in sight. I talked with the support team on VHF, then paddled down the river towards them, keeping well clear of the fishing lines all along the edge of the shoreline, until I could see the boat ramp. 49 kilometres paddled today and there were still daylight hours to be enjoyed. We chatted while we unloaded Louise and, after I got changed, we sat in the back of Cuzzie in the afternoon sun, watching a mixture of people arrive and depart from the boat ramp. At one stage, I thought that a man in his motorised wheelchair was about to fall over the edge and into the water as he went to the end of the wharf, and then did a ten point turn to get back off the wharf. In fact, I couldn’t even look but made Anna watch from her vantage point on top of Cuzzie. At last, but in no-way soon enough, she gave me the thumbs up to say he was safe and I could return to watch the other boat ramp antics. There were big dogs slightly out of control and, to Anna’s horror, a cat covered in snow also came to visit us today. For your information, I now have a member of the support crew who, believe it or not, is actually scared of cats! Now they keep appearing from everywhere it seems!!

Once we were all fed and watered, it was a quick trip to the supermarket. I’m dreaming of roast chicken and roasted veggies for Sunday dinner and the team don’t seem to be complaining about this idea either. We drive back south, to a little campsite recommended to us by Gerry Marie, to a friend of his called Tom (the campsite at Koitiata). Cute and little. Tom is a kayaking legend in his own right and was extremely generous. After a quick chat, I made plans and am heading back tomorrow to chat to him over a cup of tea or two about kayaking. In the meantime, Anna and Martin had headed off to walk along the beach and I was keen to get the roast dinner underway. Chicken on the Weber BBQ, roast veggies in the electric frying pan, leaving the broccoli and peas for the support crew to cook!

Tonight, as the sun sets, I’m still in disbelief that the West Coast actually turned on this magical day and I have to say that I feel truly blessed on this beautiful West Coast Sunday evening.

My smiles today:
A bluebird West Coast day.
The mountains looking like Mr. Whippy ice-creams.
A magical day on the water.
A Sunday roast dinner.
Sunrise and sunsets you can only dream about.
A West Coast beach launch during which I actually stayed dry!
Coffee after a wonderful day’s paddle.
Feeling that a 49km paddle is an easy day!

My thoughts today:
"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." Thanks Oprah Winfrey!

Goodnight from Red and the latest recruits on the Redz NZ Journey team.

Ma Te Wa.

Mr Whippy Ice-cream!! AKA Mt Egmont

The other snow-clad ranges.

Day 320..."Hi" and "Goodbye" Yet Again

I was warm and cosy after the soak in the hot pools last night, then I crawled into the most comfortable bed I have slept in for a very long time. It was totally bliss! Did I sleep in late? No, but I did seriously try to think of a way to fit the bed and mattress into Cuzzie for the rest of the trip; a totally impossible dream.

Once awake, up and about, I drank coffee and chatted with Andy and Sue, the two wonderful people we were staying with. Yet again, it proved to be a ridiculously small world, Sue and I knowing many of the same people through our previous jobs. Then I headed outside with Jase and Andy to do some repair and maintenance on Louise (my star kayak), to tell some as yet untold stories, to do a tidy up of Cuzzie and, generally, to get my mind and my stuff ready in order to head off. Away from the lake with its white caps, back to the coast, the waves and the ocean, taking Martin and Anna with me.

As always, time goes much too fast on the days you have to leave and, far too soon, it was time for hugs and “Goodbyes” from me to Andy, Sue and Jase. The drive back to Tangimoana today was absolutely lovely with the sun being out, the mountains covered in snow and the Desert Road pretty spectacular, with snow in and around all the tussock grasses. We even saw some people having fun playing in the snow at the roadside! Now I’m parked back on the beach where I landed on the West Coast and, once again, it’s time for the waiting and watching game. We’re all tucked up and warm. Cuzzie and her heater are just magic. Martin and Anna sit reading and writing while, as usual, I sit listening to the wind gusts and the ocean, wondering.

Today was Suicide Awareness day, so I stopped for a while to spare a quiet thought for all the families who have to keep on living each day after a loved one has taken their life, a never-ending nightmare for all concerned. I can only hope that more openness and awareness around the subject can be achieved. A big day emotionally for me today, having to say “Hi!” and “Goodbye!” yet again. Huge thanks to all the wonderful people for their donations following my appeal for financial assistance the other day. As ever, I’m humbled by your help and support. Also a very big “thank-you” for all the e-mails and phone calls I’ve received today. My push-ups are done for today and, with a little bit of luck, I reckon I may be able to get off my knees real soon!!

My smiles today:
Anna loving the New Zealand scenery and the cute lambs.
The beautiful, picturesque day.
Genuine, wonderful, real people.
Heidi, Tyra and Bennie (three cats with total attitude).
Hearing from visitors to this country how beautiful they think New Zealand is. It's good to be reminded sometimes what an amazing country we are lucky enough to live in.

My thoughts today:
Remember that today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday!!

Goodnight from Red, Martin and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

The Star Team. Eat, Sleep, Paddle, Repeat.

A sunset worth looking at.

Day 319...Friendly, Familiar Faces

It was windy and cold as I slipped out of Cuzzie for an early morning walk from Five Mile Bay along the lakefront, until such time as it was an okay hour of the morning to be rattling about in Cuzzie, making coffee and eating breakfast. I did my push-up challenge on the beach and watched a few dog owners out and about, walking their dogs and throwing balls and sticks to them. It was later than I thought by the time I returned to Cuzzie, with face and lips numb from the ice-cold wind blowing across the lake. Martin was already up eating breakfast, his regular morning fare of fresh bread, sliced cheese and jam together with large amounts of milk.

We plan a walk around Lake Rotopounamu. It was a lovely walk, but we both still rate the northern tracks of Mt Egmont as our favourite. Then it was back into town for lunch, as well as buying some things with Martin for his camper-van so he can soon start on the road southwards to continue his solo adventures in New Zealand, leaving me behind with a new support person called Anna.

Afterwards we catch up with another friend, sharing stories and long-time-no-see banter with Andy. It was so wonderful to see him again! A little later we are joined by Anna and Jason and we all decide to meet up later to go to the Wairakei Terrace hot pools. All six of us, including Sue, lounging about in the pools until we are well-cooked and heated before heading back to Andy and Sue’s place for dinner, more chatting and then a warm bed for the night. How can I put into words how great it is to see familiar faces, to talk and listen to others’ quirky humour? It’s quite simply amazing! There have been people I have truly missed this past year, and this man is one of them. Thanks for so much, Andy, and a big thanks to Sue too.

Tomorrow I’ll be spending my last day by the lake, enjoying myself before hitting the road back to the West Coast. I have managed to rest a little, but now it’s time to weather-watch and to get ready for some more salt water and waves.

My smiles today:
Wairakei hot pools.
My face so cold, it was numb!
Friendly, familiar faces.

Goodnight from the Redz NZ Team. Ma Te Wa.

Wairakei Thermal Pools.

Day 318...Too Cold

Thank goodness for my months of being in the South Island because, even though it was five degrees below in Taupo this morning, I still managed to rock around in my jandals for the first few hours of the day. As usual, I was awake far too early (pre-6.00am) so I got up and went for a walk about the campsite. It was still calm and it was cold, but this town is always cold. As I remember from when I used to live here in a much earlier life! We used to have a fire going from Easter until Labour Weekend and, sometimes, until later in the year as well. I tried hard to keep busy and away from Martin to avoid waking him up. I always warn my support team that I often wake early, but mostly they say it’s not a problem. But I’m sure they just say that to be polite and then suffer in silence.

Very soon the wind picks up and there are white caps all across the lake. The clouds hang low over the mountains and for sure it’s been snowing. It’s back to three layers of leggings and even Martin is in socks and shoes today! I studied the weather, while Martin organised a deal on a small vehicle for him to start his trip of the South Island in the next week or so. But, for a while, we are going to be a road show, with two cars and extra crew travelling along the coast. The deal duly done, off we went to get his car and organise the paper work. Thanks to New Zealand being such a small world, with its two degrees of contact, I discovered I even knew the people who had sold the car to him! Thanks for giving him a bargain, Phil and Nancy!

After all this was done I needed food, so we drove to Huka Falls where we sat quietly eating, before walking a little way out along the tracks. Then it was back to our vehicles and, although it was tough convincing myself to get out of my warm clothes and into a wet, rather cool swimming pool, I headed off to get a few lengths done, while Martin went to do some solo sightseeing. We meet up again in a freedom camping area by the lake and, as the sun goes down, I do my push-up challenge on the cold, wet beach, hoping that I don’t get caught out by a bigger than normal wave!

By then it was getting cold, so we put the gas heater on for a little while in Cuzzie, cooked dinner and settled down to read some good books. Today has been tougher for me than I would have liked and there have been moments when...well, let me just say that I want you all to know that, some days, I have to dig deeper for motivation than others, to look for a reason to keep going on, to find answers to my internal "why's" and “what if’s”. Furthermore, let me tell you that, sometimes, my answers don't come nearly quick enough! This is the furthest inland I can cope with going in the North Island at the moment. It would be oh so nice to go back over to the East Coast and enjoy a little respite but, to my mind, it wouldn’t be good for me. The East Coast will be reached again when I have achieved the rest of this hard paddle. It will be my crazy reward to myself. Until then, I’m glad it’s cold and rugged here. That’s what I need not only to keep myself honest but also to keep this journey of mine really alive.

As I swam today my mind wandered, mostly about the need to get going and to get home. As the days stretch on and endlessly on, so my personal budget is getting stretched thinner and thinner. As some of you may have seen, I have applied for an AMP "Dare to Dream" Scholarship and hope that everyone who sees it will please “click” on it to vote for me. (http://scholarshipsignup.amp.co.nz/vote/139319/?q=Lynn+paterson&sort=t)
Financially, it would be of tremendous help if I were able to receive such a grant from them. For, as you all know, I have most certainly dared to dream of circumnavigating New Zealand by kayak in an attempt to draw attention to the amazing work being done by the Mental Health Foundation, to all those who work for it one way or another, as well as all those who benefit from it. Along the way, people have often asked me how I am funding my trip, especially now that it’s taking me so much longer than planned. Well, actually, the honest answer is that this journey is now entirely self-funded and, as time drags on, financing it is getting harder and harder. If anyone feels they can assist in any way, can I please ask for just a little help. I truly hate asking but, there it is, I am at last putting it down in writing. The "Givealittle" charity page helps me and my support crew to keep going on this last very slow and painful leg of my journey. (https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/redznzjourney)

I have only 23 paddling days left to complete my dream. But Mother Nature has to be kind enough to accord me the weather conditions to get back on the water. If you think you might be able to help, then all I can say is I owe you a huge “thank you” and hope that, somehow, somewhere, I will be able to “pay it forward” in some way. Hopefully, some individuals or, perhaps, even some businesses, will be crazy enough to believe in me as much as I believe in myself! At the same time, I also have to say a huge “thank you” to everyone who has already helped me along the way by supplying products, for donating to the Mental Health Foundation and for the continuing support from all my original supporters. You all are rock stars, that’s for sure.

My smiles today:
Jandals when it’s less than five degrees.
Back to wearing three pairs of leggings today.
This mind game of mine.
Reading the words “pay it forward”.
Feeling able to ask for help at last.
The sound of waves as I go to sleep.

My thoughts today:
Never be afraid to admit you need help. To ask for someone's support or advice is a sign of strength and courage. (I had to read this many times before I felt able to ask for help but, now that it’s out in the public domain, I feel stronger).  

Goodnight from Red and the support crew. Ma Te Wa.

P.S. Also please consider making a donation to the Mental Health Foundation. (https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/redz-nz-journey)

Huka Falls. It never disappoints. 25 years since I last visited.

Day 317...Water

It was only five degrees when I dragged myself out of a warm Cuzzie and onto the streets this morning for a short, brisk walk to the local pools. I‘ve had enough walking over the past few days and it was time to get back in the pool to swim a few kilometres. Martin was happy to stay in bed while I went to stare at the black line on the bottom of the pool as I swam back and forth. It was a nice, quiet pool, with only a few youngsters in a swim squad. The rest of the lanes were empty as I zoned out, enjoying the calm waters. Then it was back to Cuzzie for a well-deserved coffee and breakfast.

Today we have a road trip planned to a lake, along the Forgotten World Highway. From Stratford to Taumarunui. You’ve got the picture, I simply can't keep still, the pacing tiger is on the move and heading to a salt-free lake to see some more tourist highlights and things I would never normally do. But, as always, I keep my eye on the weather, on the forecast, and I’m keeping myself as occupied as possible. Never in a million years would I have known or normally chosen this road but, today I look at it in a different way. Not as a busy Kiwi trying to get from one place to another but more as a tourist site, visiting places I would never otherwise have gone to. I was most certainly surprised.

Farmland gradually gave way to lush native forest, and tar-sealed roads became gravel ones as we twisted and turned along the 155kms of road. There were pheasants, bush turkeys, pukeko and lots of sheep crossing the roads in front of us, not to mention the occasional goat! We laughed at a story we knew of maybe catching a young goat and keeping it as a pet (Trent, that’s your fault!). I could see a glint in Martin's eye at the thought of a possible pet for the camper-van!! Thank goodness we didn’t have time to stop!

After a very long road trip, I needed to take a break for a really late lunch, so we stopped near the water’s edge beside Lake Taupo. I haven’t set out on this journey only to sit in one place waiting for the bad weather to pass! Cuzzie and Martin needed to visit Taupo and maybe, so did I. We make some phone calls to plan our stopover for tonight. It was cold the locals said. But we’re still wearing jandals as it’s not all that cold compared to what we’re both used to.

Next stop was specially for Martin, to look at a couple of things along the way. Then we headed to the hot pools and it’s there that I start writing today’s blog, in the steam, surrounded by bubbling waters, and I smile. What a journey! Thanks for this amazing dream. I will endeavour to stay focused but I’m not in torture mode. I will get back to the coast real soon. Maybe a paddle round Lake Taupo might help soothe my restless soul. Many might find my inland journey questionable. I myself questioned it on the way here today but, now that we’re actually here, I don’t doubt my decision at all. It feels really good. As does the thought of dinner later and a good night’s sleep, with hot pools and tourist mode again tomorrow.

My smiles today:
The Forgotten Highway Route 43.
A chance meeting with an old acquaintance.
Soaking in Debrett’s hot pools on a cold, clear night.
Being a travelling tourist.
How I love water!

My thoughts today:
Some days you just have to go with the flow and create sunshine.

Goodnight from Red. Ma Te Wa.

The mist covered hills of the Forgotten Highway.

Wind and waves wherever I go.