Day 376...A Peak Further North

Saturday 5 November 2016

This morning I had decided I have sat for long enough in one location. It has been helped by others visiting and having the Raglan Harbour to paddle in. Also, again, it was so lovely to have more company yesterday afternoon and until after lunch today.

Jase is always lots of entertainment, he can be talked into hiking, GeoCaching, eating at a local cafe, and also general repairs and maintenance on Cuzzie when he visits. On top of that he always tries to keep me rational and level headed. We have lots to chat about and the time goes so quickly. He brought us salmon for dinner last night; thanks so much.

This morning after breakfast I was determine to drag him along a very windy and rainy beach to look at the surfers and the harbour. As we depart the Raglan campsite we quickly stop as, just a few hundred metres further along, we join others to watch many small aeroplanes arrive and then some depart for what seemed like scenic flights out and over the coastline, and then back to land. A weekend away for these many little planes. We watched for a while as they roughly bumped or gently touched down in this large paddock; the gusting wind did not seem to help the landings. Nat would have loved this as she so wants to learn to fly.

We arrive at the surfers beach, a few surfers were already in the water and black clouds threatened to drench us at any moment as we headed off for our beach hike.At one point we did think seriously of ducking under a large tree further in the sand dunes, but as we climbed further towards shelter and Jase disappeared into the toi-toi that were well above head height, it became obvious to us both it was easier to get wet.

Dogs raced along the beach happy to be parted from their leads and their owners, a couple of horses trotted along as well and it was nice to see everyone out enjoying themselves. The wind at times was so cool and strong I thought I was going to get blown sideways and my ears ached. Many other times it has been worse but at times today it was tough going. But then the sun would shine and you would be sucked into thinking it was a nice summers day until the wind blasted you again. Did I wish I could surf? Yes, I looked and watched and actually today I did think about locating someone to give me lessons. Boogie boards just do not seem that they would fit in quite the same.

Both our stomachs began rumbling by now and off we went to a little cafe we had driven past a couple of times. Rock-it, a great choice and nice location. Ribs and a steak sandwich for Jase. Then a quick stop back in Raglan to sit in the sun with the locals for a little while and it was time to say "bye bye" as we both had things to do and places to go, well sort of. Me I had to get out onto the coastline as far up as Manukau Heads looking at checkpoints and beaches where and when I could. As for Jase, back into Auckland he was heading.

I had to smile and cringe at the same time today, I could faintly see the Sky Tower! (From the road way out on Manukau heads.) I did not make it out to the lighthouse as the gates were shutting at 5pm so I may well return tomorrow. I looked out at the water on a very windy, blustery day and then in at the harbour which also had white caps. I watched a smallish boat bounce along back towards the sheltered harbour bays and I loudly sighed. Maybe November is going to be my toughest month. The crazy spring weather has most certainly arrived; wind, rain and sunshine all in one day. To make matters worse I have scanned the weather forecast for the next possible day of paddling and can see nothing. I will just have to work on a tan! That or someone to taking me on surfing lessons.

As said on an earlier blog, this is as far north as I go and tomorrow I head back down into Port Waikato for a day or so, then back into Raglan during the early part of this week to paddle the harbour and locate some more GeoCaches! I have to also say congrats to Sandy Robinson for her EPIC paddling achievement; totally incredible.

My smiles today:
Mr "Angry" Duck returned!
Spring weather! Wind, rain and sun.
Many funny sights today.
Wonderful food with wonderful company.
Hamilton Gap; freedom camping.
Zero mobile or Internet coverage.

My thoughts today:
"Knowing others is intelligence.
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength.
Mastering yourself is true power." - Lao Tzu (Thanks to Jase.)

Goodnight from Red, Cuzzie and Louise

Ma Te Wa.

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

Hamilton Gap.

Tall, tall grasses.

Day 375...New Hobby

Friday 4 November 2016

Wind blowing with cold rain, what more could you ask for when you need encouragement to get out and on the beach for a run! To make it even more fun this is all before 6.30am. I did manage, as you would expect, to find the motivation needed to get out and onto the beach! It was colder than I wanted and even my hands went numb for a little while but I was now officially doing it, so each footstep was one closer to finishing!

Low tide meant I could get a long way today before needing to turn and in the end I was happy with my 10km run. The best part was at the turn around as I had the wind pushing me along. It is always a great feeling no matter if I am running, biking or paddling; it seems just that little easier. There were others out on the beach for early morning runs or walks, and plenty of dogs were running in and out of the water having an amazing time. As I got closer to finishing it absolutely bucketed down with rain, but by this time it was a welcome and refreshing rinse off at the end of my run. 

Back at Cuzzie I sit inside and get dry. I did a few weights inside the camper-van then it was breakfast, and later on the skies cleared so I flung open the doors for the day. I have always got a bunch of off the water things to get done and after being in this camper-van for 1 year there is lots of repairs and maintenance to be done, so while it blows and is not raining I just get them done.

I get a couple of cool phone calls from friends today so I chat and continue my chores. I have the GeoCache locations set and ready to track later this afternoon. Jase arrives from Auckland and quickly I jump into his ute  (oops) not seeing the small cake in a ziplock bag on the seat, it was a little squashed by the time we both realised but he still ate it. Before he could even say no I had dragged Jase along to discover 3 more new hidden caches! I am actually thinking it could be my new hobby; it's better than book reading! For someone like me who can never sit still this is great. I am most certainly only doing the easier ones. It gets me wondering how many may have been in the Fiordlands area.

Back at the campsite many more camper-vans have arrived for the night, and also weekend holiday makers, so there is much to watch and be entertained by. Tomorrow I am feeling like Cuzzie and I may be needing a change of location just for a day or so to check out the coastline a little. A wonderful dinner tonight, I have been spoilt with company this week and I have to thank everybody for the calls and visits, as I have said before it is making my weather waiting far more bearable. Salmon, asparagus and crispy baked potatoes with fresh lettuce for dinner (yum).

Enjoy your weekend and have fun with your fireworks. More adventures tomorrow, maybe a couple more GeoCaches to uncover! ( I blame Nat).

My smiles today:
Running in the cold rain
Trying to do a workout in the camper-van!
More GeoCaches located.
Trying to sit and just read! It never happened, I cleaned cupboards instead.
Daily visitors, thanks to you all.
Mother Nature and her continued wind torture!.

My thoughts today:
A year from now you will wish you had started today!

Goodnight from Red.

Ma Te Wa.

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

 Standing on top of a hill looking out over Ngarunui Beach.

Day 374...Raglan Harbour and GeoCache!

Thusday 3 November 2016

Low tide as I strolled along the beach this morning. Then barefoot sprints as my poor running shoes are still trying to dry out from the removal of all the mud from yesterday! I mark and set up the sprint section on the beach but, before I start, I go for a wander. I have discovered a new challenge that could keep me occupied, something that Nat mentioned yesterday! GeoCache?! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, head to Google for an explanation. All I can say is that it’s like a giant worldwide treasure hunt!! I’d been told about it many moons ago but really hadn’t absorbed the concept. Although I was at least determined to locate one hidden item, leaving my name signed in the book and feeling satisfied. I hunted for a while but felt a little bit crazy walking around among the trees and in the sand dunes, staring down, looking for a small metal box! I stopped and re-turned to get on with my morning training.

Once done and dusted, I returned to my treasure hunting and, to my utter delight, I soon located the hidden box, opened it and duly signed the book. Wow, that was pretty cool! It gives people a reason to go walking and hiking each day, not that I need any such reason, but in my area alone, there are 59 Geocache items, each with a different degree of difficulty, from small to large items. Huh, the Pokemon treasure hunt game didn’t appeal to me but, maybe this could be a catching!

Back at the campsite, I got chatting, sharing stories and just doing what everyone normally does at campsites, talking and listening. Perhaps because everybody seems to have more time than usual. The sun came and went today which was great if and when I was tucked away from the brisk, blustery wind and when there was no cloud cover. But on the whiteboard I had a list a mile long of things to do, so I knuckled down and got stuck in, trying really hard not to get distracted. But as it hit high tide, there were a couple of reasons to get out on the harbour:
1 - Just to paddle and get my arms moving;
2 - I had located couple of Geocaches that I could go out and hunt for on the edge of some of the harbour beaches, and
3 - To see if I could brace myself enough in the cool water to force myself to do a couple of rolls!

At last, I winched Louise off the roof racks and got kitted up, then pulled my kayak down into the water and off I paddled. By this time, the tide had turned and the water was rushing back out to sea but, where I was paddling further up the harbour, it was fine to be racing into the current then turning and paddling with it. It was rather nice out on the water and I went and looked and found another Geocache (crazy game!). As I paddled back and under the walk bridge to town, I made the decision to head towards the boat ramp and my original launching location. The current was running pretty strong by then but, once out of the current, the water was really too shallow, so no rolls today. However, I’ll paddle further on an incoming tide another day, to a sandy bay and then get wet with some rolls! I’m hoping like heck it’s like riding a bike, that it’ll come naturally to me again, as I haven’t been all that committed these past few months, and there’s no-one to blame but myself!

Tonight I’m off out to catch up with some wonderful people Nat and I met in Doughboy Bay, Stewart Island way back in February this year. It was such a nice surprise to hear from them, especially as both Nat and I had been hunting for their details in an effort to try to call them as there are lots of stories to be told.

My smiles today:
Mr. Paradise Duck has a somewhat incongruous name: "Angry Duck!"
A small boy in his tiny little red-topped gumboots.
A first: paddling on Raglan Harbour.
My first GeoCache located, and then some others.
Clean-washed Cuzzie curtains.
Catching up with people from Stewart Island.

My thoughts today:
I just want to live on a beach, walk it at night and then fall asleep with the windows open, listening to the waves.

Until tomorrow and perhaps more treasure hunting. Goodnight from Red and Cuzzie. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

GeoCache located.

Raglan Harbour.

Day 373...Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Nat and I wanted to go for a hike together, so the alarm was set for a stupidly early hour and we were actually driving towards the Kaniwhaniwha Tracks by 7.30am, goofing it along the track to do the Nikau Walk, the caves, and then on to the tallest Kahikatea tree. My backpack is loaded with food and drink and we have our rain jackets on. The track is fairly wide and just a little wet as we start. As normal, we dodge the puddles and the softer muddy sections, trying to keep our feet dry. Although this got somewhat more difficult as we got further into the walk. We located the caves and squeezed our way in and through the narrow sections, popping out the other side way too quickly. We were both convinced that we had missed the biggest cave so had to go back and have another look. But no, we seemed to have located the correct caves.

By this stage, our attempt to keep our feet dry and our shoes mud-free had started to fail! The track didn’t improve any and the mud and the depth of it only got deeper in certain parts. Then it was “Oh, bugger this!” and there was no further attempt to dodge any of it. We just walked straight along and through the rest of the mud as there was absolutely no point in trying to side-step anything. A lot of the time, there was a lack of birdsong which was a little disappointing but maybe it was because of the wind and the rain. We did manage to locate a favourite of ours, a swing bridge, which entertained us both for a while. Then it was up, up, up a ridge line before we realised we had missed the turn to the huge Kahikatea tree. Back down the ridge we went and a quick right turn had us at the base of the sixty-five metre tall tree. It was so tall, in fact, that it was hard to take a full lengthwise picture which was a shame. Had it been in flower now, it would have been even more impressive.

We sat and ate a late breakfast until we got a little chilly sitting, so got on the track heading back towards our vehicles. By this stage it was mud, mud, glorious mud all the way; with both Nat and myself nearly losing a shoe each at least once. But Nat assured me that the mud here was nothing compared to the Doughboy Track she hiked on Stewart Island! Once off the muddy sections, we both stood in the creek to try and rinse out our shoes, something which worked fairly well. Like most hikes we have been on, we seemed to get faster and finished the hike far quicker than the recommended time. 

Then Nat was in her trusty ute, heading back to Auckland for the start of work tomorrow, while I got into Cuzzie and drove to watch the Raglan surfers in action. Not many in the Manu Beach break today but it was good just sitting and watching them enjoying the stormy waves and, for as far as the eye could see, the Raglan bar looked very nasty indeed today. Now the rain has stopped and again I have the back doors of Cuzzie flung open wide. There’s no freedom camping in Raglan, so back I went to the local campsite tonight. Emails written and lots of phone chats and things sorted. I’m still waiting on a weather window but the wonderful thing is that I now have time to catch up with more friends and, for me, that is an incredible feeling. Thanks everybody, I love hearing from you all. Fingers crossed for sunshine soon. At the moment, I can’t even see a paddle day, so Raglan has me for a while, apart from being away for a few days doing a couple of short reconnaissances just a little further north. After that, it will be up to the support crew to do the Auckland West Coast reconnaissance as, not for the life of me, am I wanting or going to be driving in and through Auckland! As far as I’m concerned, it’s a “no go” zone until I complete this journey.

My smiles today:
Hiking with Nat.
Younger thoughts are always cool.
The campsite’s resident Paradise Duck.
Swing-bridge jumping (oops!).
Surfing. Maybe I need to learn!
Calm and patient again today.

My thoughts today:
A great attitude becomes a great mood; which becomes a great day; which becomes a great year; which becomes a great life.

Have a great night, from Red and Cuzzie.

Ma Te Wa.

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

We love swing bridges. Nat jumping for joy!

Day 372...Smiling and Sunny

Tuesday 1 November 2016

After my day on the water yesterday, it still seems impossible to sleep like most people. Even when I feel tired, I wake up every couple of hours, rolling over to listen to the start of some heavier rain and then I drift back to sleep again. I’m sure I make too much noise in the morning, so evict myself from Cuzzie so that the support person can sleep in until a more respectable hour.

I return after a long walk on the harbour beach and to get out of another heavy rain shower. Nat lifts her head just on 8am to say “Good morning!” and we gather ourselves for breakfast and a day in Raglan. It tried to rain for a little while this morning but, by 10am, the sky was blue with fluffy clouds and some real warmth in the sun. Having waved goodbye to Mike and Jan, we set off in Nat’s little ute to do some sightseeing. We went by a few places that I had been but that Nat hadn’t yet seen, so along no exit roads and up over many farm hills we travelled and then the sunshine was calling us both.

We had promised ourselves some time on a beach, some sun and a swim. Well in the end, we found a sheltered grass area looking out onto a sunny Raglan Harbour, grabbed a book and our sarongs and lay in the sun! It was such lovely, warm sunshine today. It seems such a very long time since the sun actually felt like summer was really on the way. It‘s so nice that it’s getting warmer each day instead of colder but I have to say that it wasn’t quite so charming when the clouds arrived and the cool wind found us.

Lunch back at Cuzzie, then some boring cleaning stuff as we flung open Cuzzie’s dusty doors! This was all inspired by Nat and the fact that yesterday she located a jar of sticky Tahini that had leaked into a cupboard with all the back-road driving, and then she had located a carton of eggs with a “use by date" of 10/7/2016 that was tucked way at the back of a shelf in Cuzzie. Oh, dear! Can you just imagine them warming up in a hot, summer camper-van? With Cuzzie duly aired, we strolled into a very quiet and tranquil Raglan, just to have a look around, grab a coffee for Nat and then sit in a little side street café for a while. We even stopped and looked at knitting wool. Now that was a real Nat moment! Look out, everybody! More scarf-knitting!!

This has been nothing if not a very pleasant, smiling, sunny day; admiring a quiet, tranquil Raglan. Even the locals seemed to be enjoying it! In fact, the busiest place was the Lotto shop! Tickets were flying out the door for tomorrow's draw. For whatever reason, I don't even have a sense of why I can't paddle today. Even Nat has noticed it. Well, maybe I have actually changed. Maybe the South Island has taught me patience (uhmm, maybe!). Tonight we are having my famous roast chicken and potatoes. We both love this dinner. It’s been lovely seeing old friends, so lovely to have their continuing support. I never stop enjoying seeing someone at a boat ramp when I arrive and feel special when they are with me for a day or so, it makes my weather-waiting more bearable. Keep visiting, please!

My smiles today:
Sunshine and sarongs.
Nat and her ute.
Mike and Jan, I’m so blessed. Having you around means the world to me.
Chatting with Nat.
Roast chicken dinner, yum!

My thoughts today:
The seven wonders of this life:
To see.
To hear.
To touch.
To taste.
To feel.
To laugh.
To love.

Smiles from us both. Red and Nat. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Day 371...Lucky Charm

Monday 31 October 2016

Well it has to be said, I reckon Nat is my lucky charm. No water in my face today, an easterly wind to flatten out the very low swell and off I went onto the water, paddling towards Albatross Point. How I wanted to get around and past this Point, past the iron sand works and past the huge ship that was waiting offshore to collect the remains from inland mining. Gradually, I inched closer and closer and, as I had been told, remembered to try and take a wide berth in an effort to miss the bigger swells that seem to appear at this location. Well, I did try to go out a little further but still I ended up encountering a biggish washing machine effect and the wind had still not dropped. I just had to take my time and slowly pick my way through the back and forth waves until I got past and around, then I tucked myself into a little bay closer to the beaches and paddled further until it eventually calmed again! Jeez, any more of that and I would have been staying out on Albatross Point! But today, the wind was at last dropping as predicted and even Kawhia Harbour mouth was so calm I could see the boating channel as clear as day. Typical really, as I needed not to cross this harbour bar!

Onwards I push to my first checkpoint on the ocean beach at Kawhia, have a VHF chat with Nat and that last section had indeed slowed me down a bit. But I was sure I was going to be able to pick up speed again on the next section. I was feeling good and strong in my paddling, so off I set and with the help of a small swell, made great headway. In the meantime, Nat was having to drive a heck of a long way today on very dusty and winding roads! I go further than I should and sort of miss the next checkpoint by a couple of kilometres. I really got that wrong. Probably so excited at seeing a dolphin jumping high in the air and not just once, but three times! Then it disappeared but it was a wonderful welcome to the Raglan coastline. Just after that I spot, not only once but twice, a couple of small Maui dolphins and that was even more exciting. At last, after such a long time, dolphins in the water! Although they didn’t come and play today, they appeared and that was enough to make me know my day was going to end well.

I aimed for Manu boat ramp. Every other time I have scouted out this bay, it has been rough with rolling surf but today, the bay and the boat ramp were an absolute dream. Thanks Raglan. I’m smiling! Meeting me, with her camera working overtime, was Nat. It was also lovely to have Mike and Jan Scanlan on the boat ramp. Gosh, it’s a whole year since I last saw them. Wow, what stories we both have and I was reminded that I best start re-visiting my rolls now the water has warmed! While I stay in Raglan for a little while, awaiting the next weather window, the harbour will be my preferred place of practice.

Nat cooked dinner, some yummie pork and gluten-free wraps with avocado, salad stuff and tomatoes (thanks to Jan). Tired and happy, pleased to have moved a little further north and very pleased to have paddled on an incredibly lovely West Coast sunny Monday. This coastline is relatively unknown to most and it’s rather beautiful.

My smiles today:
Dry face and a dry departure.
Dolphins! More than once.
Raglan on a lovely sunny day.
Mike and Jan on the boat ramp.
Wow, this coastline sensational!
No surf to dodge on my landing.
Nat’s guest appearance for the next few days.

Goodnight from Red and Nat. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Day 370...Sunday Drive

Sunday 30 October 2016

Sunday in my little world was pretty cool apart from being up and awake far too early. It was so very calm and quiet this morning in the campsite. One funny thing did happen during the night however, the resident possum decided to jump onto Cuzzie’s roof of in the early hours of this morning and the loud “thud” did give us a bit of a fright! Jase started telling the possum it was a "dick-head" but I just rolled over and went back to sleep, the possum having already done this to me a couple of times since staying in this campsite. The possum, on the other hand, was probably laughing itself silly at having woken us up!

When the sun streamed into Cuzzie, we eventually dragged ourselves away from the warm interior and headed out for a walk along the banks of Aotea Harbour. Then it was back to the campsite to pack up as we were both heading north. Jase back to Auckland for another week of work and me, well I’m heading north to Raglan to collect a support person as there is a high possibility that I’ll be able to paddle tomorrow. We drove to Raglan to have a scrumptious lunch in a little café and then my wonderful support person Nat arrived to spend a few days with me. We headed south back to Marokopa having given big hugs to Jase as he went in the opposite direction. The two hour and fifteen minute trip back to Marokopa simply flew past as all we did was chat. We had so much to talk about and catch up on. How cool to have some time to share with Nat! I have to thank these amazing support crew people yet again for continuing to come and help whenever they have time.

We drove past amazing green paddocks and numerous animals. I managed to dodge a large bush turkey that decided to cross the road just as we went round a corner. We also saw also pheasant flying low into some bushes. Back country roads seem to have surprises round each corner.

Marokopa is very quiet, with no-one about at all. It’s still windy when we arrive and, as we cook dinner, I hope like heck we have gotten the forecast correct. With no mobile network coverage, I send a satellite message to Jase to get a weather update and also to let other support people who help me along the way know that I’m out of coverage again but will talk to them later tomorrow, once off the water. I go to bed just as the sun has just set, extremely happy that I have a former crew member back with the Redz NZ team. Cuzzie will also be a tad happy! Otherwise, let’s just wait and see what happens tomorrow, one day of paddling is better than nothing after all! I’m now officially behind schedule again on my newest plan. Jeez, Mother Nature, this is not a fun game you are playing with me.

My smiles today:
Beach-walking in the sunshine.
Driving the gravel back roads.
A yummie Raglan café lunch. Thanks, Jase.
Watching the surfers on the Raglan waves.
Nat returning for a few days.
Another week of life as a nomad.

My thoughts today:
The people that actually make an effort to stay in your life are the only ones you really need.

Goodnight from Red and Nat. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Kawhia Harbour Boat Racing

Outside of the Kawhia Harbour

Aotea Harbour

Day 369...Tourist Time

Saturday 29 October 2016

More heavy rain last night and, as I woke, even in this little sheltered campsite I could hear the wind in the large willow trees. But thankfully, I’m safely tucked inside Cuzzie. Somehow that still never stops me checking the weather reports, always scanning way ahead of today for a break in the spring weather, then I roll back into my nice, warm bed and just enjoy planning today in my quiet mind.

Breakfast, a great planned Saturday, a chat about the day and then we’re off in the ute to be tourists in our own country. At long last we’re going to the Waitomo Caves! I have to admit I was a little bit apprehensive about venturing there on a Saturday but fortunately it wasn’t too busy. We both opted to just view and to go on a tour of the newer cave. There was an amazing, very dramatic spiral staircase entrance to Ruakuri Cave and the entire track was well laid-out on suspended walk-ways and underground concrete paths. There were also incredible shawl-like limestone formations, glow worms up close and personal and thankfully, it was only a small tour group, eighteen of us in total. The entire two-hour underground tour was far more spectacular than I had ever imagined. By the end of this tour, I was certainly impressed and a very proud Kiwi, so congratulations to Waitomo Caves!

We then grabbed a quick bite to eat from a local café, now that part of the tourist experience could have been somewhat better. The snack was well below average but the bubbly, happy staff member made up for the rather ho-hum food and we also enjoyed the warmth of the sun for just a short while. We stopped in at a local Otorohanga store that sells the best outdoor clothing. An iconic, quirky retailer that stocks Swazi and so many more labels. Jase spent money, but I did not! Back towards Kawhia we headed to grab our rigs and towels for I was determined to find and sit in the hot springs at Ocean Beach. Today was perfect timing as it was low tide as we arrived. A few others had already located the hot water underneath the sand, but we managed to jump in a vacant spot, dug a little deeper and then submerged ourselves in the hot water. We had to stay completely covered in the water as the wind was cool and blowing strongly so that, once wet, we cooled off really quickly. Once the tide and the waves started to reclaim the beach it was time to depart, so we washed away the black sand, clambered up the sand dunes and quickly got back to the shelter and warmth of the campsite.

Dinner, and chats to other campers followed by a restful night. Another day of living the dream, seeing and travelling to places to which I have never before been. Planning for tomorrow includes a big Sunday breakfast and a trip north to catch up with someone we all know.

My smiles today:
Sunshine on a beautifully warm Saturday.
Being tourists in our own country.
An iconic Otorohanga store.
Hot pools on a wild West Coast beach.
Campsite life with campsite people is so cool. I just love it!

My thoughts today:
If you want to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose. When you wake up, you can't just wait to see what kind of day you'll have. You have to decide what kind of day you'll have.

Have a happy Saturday! From Red and Jase. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Welcome to Waitomo.

Ruakuri Cave.

Digging hot water pools, Ocean Beach Kawhia.

Day 368... Harbour Paddle

Friday 28 October 2016

Night-Owl syndrome last night. After looking at lots of random pictures, I visited many places and had to stop myself just after midnight in order to turn off the light and go to sleep. This corner of Kawhia Harbour is so very calm, tucked away from the crazy West Coast winds. Every morning, I wake thinking that it is far calmer than it actually is and then I follow my normal weather ritual. Always hoping, once done and re-read a few times. Then I get into my training gear and on with the day. The tide was still on its way in, so I could possibly run a lot further along the beach today, but (jeepers) I’m really not too keen on sand running.

I love the many flowering plants that have escaped from their gardens and are now tumbling and growing wild over the banks and tracks along which I’m running. Back into the campground, to be watched by sleepy-eyed tourists as I do my small circuit training exercises. I was glad when it was all finished, because I’m never too keen on being the centre of attention. The sun’s out and the wind has picked up but I have been promising Louise an outing on the Kawhia Harbour for days so, just on midday, I manage to get my act together to go and have a paddle. The tide was three hours off low tide, so I had a great time, racing along with the outgoing tide towards the harbour mouth and then turned and headed across to the south side of the harbour, to the pancake rock piles and huge boulders. I had to hurry and had fun surfing on the outgoing tide with the wind blowing strongly on at my back. Shallow waters and, sometimes, my blades touched the sandy bottom but I made it in time and sat admiring the rocks from my little kayak. I also smiled at the white sandy beaches on this side of the harbour, a total contrast to the black sand beaches on the West Coast. I was blown sideways past them rather rapidly and also noticed over my shoulder that the water was rapidly disappearing. But, thanks to Grant’s good directions yesterday, even with the wind in my face and the current whisking against me, I managed to paddle back down the deep channels and not get grounded on any shallow sandy areas.

I had a really lovely paddle. Perhaps next time I need to be on the harbour before high tide and use both tides to my advantage. It would be a good idea for me to take a picnic and a thermos, to make the most of the deserted white sand beaches. Who knows, I might even be able to locate the scallop beds at low tide.

Back later than planned, I shower and get warm and, finally, feel refreshed. There haven’t been many days when I can just go out to paddle and just sight-see, to turn when I feel like it and to actually enjoy having the wind and waves in my face. All of which reminds me of why I kayak, because it has been a really enjoyable end to my Friday, followed by a late lunch and a visitor for the weekend. Thanks, Jase. Let's go fly some kites!

My smiles today:
Kawhia Harbour.
Wind, waves and a racing tide.
A weekend guest.
New and exciting discoveries.
Chatting with friends.
KFC with a difference. Kawhia Fish and Chips for dinner!

My thoughts today:
Don't wait for things to get better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, otherwise you'll run out of time.

Goodnight from Red, Jase, Louise and Cuzzie. 

Ma Te Wa.

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Pancake Rocks, Kawhia.

Day 367...One Year

Thursday 27 October 2016

Today is exactly one year since I started out on this incredible journey, one year since I paddled away on this epic adventure. On that very first day, I just focused and that’s how I have been for the past 367 days (well, mostly!). To try to summarise these days at the moment is way too difficult to put into my daily blog. I have tried hard to dig deep inside my brain to find a few sentences that could sum up the past year but, at present, I have to confess that I don’t yet have it in me to adequately describe those 366 days. Of course I have words, but these words are far too insignificant; they look more like a bad game of Scrabble than something more meaningful. All I can say is: "Wow!" "Thank you!" and "Keep dreaming." Also, incredibly: “It’s not over yet!”

Thank you to people who called and offered their congratulations. To my friend B, thanks for remembering when I departed on this mammoth journey, who posted on Facebook "This is my mad mate!" What did I do on this special day? I stayed grounded and focused on the task ahead. To me the celebration is still a long way off so it was duties as per normal. Weather check and re-check, and Google map coastline re-check. Then, as a “thank you” to this really dedicated camper-van (Cuzzie), I set about spring-cleaning the entire inside because Cuzzie surely is the rockstar of this trip. 35,000kms travelled in the past year. My stats that I have recorded (and will be happy to share on completion of my journey) are nothing compared to the roads travelled by this camper-van. Also an enormous “Wow!” and the hugest thanks to my dedicated half-crazy support crew. Many days they have to drive a damn long way. Oh, and we have seen a fat amount of this countryside now (apart from some of the middle bits). Will I cycle or hike them on another journey? A resounding “NO WAY”!

With Cuzzie smiling from the inside out, I went on a great quad bike ride with Grant from the Kawhia Campsite, along the black sand beach at low tide, to the mouth of Aotea Harbour, past all the people sitting in deep sand pools who have discovered the hot water streams under the sand at low tide on this section of the beach. We then wandered along the sandstone rocks and the Kawhia "swimming pool" was pointed out to me. It’s the biggest rock pool I have ever seen! In summertime, I’m sure that many kids enjoy this natural water feature. Did I swim in it? No, it was still a tad too cold!

Today has predominantly been a day to think, to get jobs done and also a day during which I have silently in my mind tried to thank every single person who has in some way been helpful or supportive, who has shared their knowledge, laughed with and at me, fed me, watched me cry, given me a warm meal, a roof over my head, and the list keeps on growing. These people and this country are the incredible ones; the ones that have made me who I am after one year on this unforgettable odyssey. It would be an injustice to try to single out any one person in particular. I would most certainly forget or miss out a moment or a person or a place, so this is why I can only say, as already mentioned, "Wow!" "Thank you!" and "Keep dreaming."

My smiles today:
366 days of nomadic life. Wow!
366 days, and all the new people who have made it so special. Thank you!
366 days, each one with a special moment and at least one smile.
What an incredible journey. "Keep dreaming."

My thoughts today:
If I stop and ask myself, "Really, what is one year out of my life given over to living a lifetime’s odyssey? Only a mere blip!” So you know all those things you've always wanted to do? You should go do them!

Goodnight from Red and Cuzzie. 

Ma Te Wa.

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Snippets of my past year.

Day 366...Leap Year

Wednesday 26 October 2016

It is 365 days since I left Takapuna beach and, for a while there, I thought I must have been counting my days wrong as today is only the 26th of October and I left on the 27th of October. Then it dawned on me, 2016 is a Leap Year so there’s an extra day, now I understand that tomorrow is my day of celebration!!

But, back to normal business. Continually, I remind myself that I must keep fit and that’s what gets me up and out of Cuzzie’s door each morning. Fine rain is falling but, at present, not a howling gale although I can see the clouds whizzing along up in the early morning sky. As I run today, I feel really good. Then I get into my weight circuit session and am pleased that no-one else can actually see my workout, as there would surely be some interesting comments! Outdoor exercising in my own little boot camp. I have attended a few of these over the years and think mine is far more pleasant. No-one bellowing instructions or making the one comment that really irks me ("You can do better than that!”). Anyway, it’s just me today in the entire campsite. I shower, have breakfast, then make a couple of catch-up calls.

Then it’s time to hit the road and see a place I last visited a very long time ago, Otorohonga. By now it’s blowing a gale and wet all the way on the drive, so I sit in Cuzzie for a while trying to convince myself that first of all, I should go for swim after which I can perhaps go for a bit of a wander and a look about. After lunch, swim I did; although that was probably not the best idea! I did far too many tumble turns, as this pool was short and rather warm. As a result, I felt my stomach churning and I was ever so slightly nauseous by the end of the session. Anyway, finally it was over and done with and I had a cold shower to cool down. Soon I felt way better, obviously having previously been spoilt with the cooler Taupo outdoor pool.

Then I headed round the corner to the Kiwi House to become a tourist for an hour or so, wandering about looking at the bird life. The kiwis were really cool but I have to say the geckos, lizards and our tuatara were my favourites; very cool and rather cute creatures. Once my wander around this well-laid out enclosure was finished, I hesitated just for a moment when I was driving through town, trying to convince myself to buy a Lotto ticket. But no, I eventually decided against it. Of course it would help to win, but I actually didn’t feel all that lucky today and, in any case, I would rather buy some food with the money rather than throw it away on the Lotto.

It was then time to head back to my favourite little campsite in Kawhia before more rain and nightfall arrived. Again I thought about heading to the Waitomo caves, but today my reason for not doing so was that it was already too late in the day. Rain, rain and more rain as I drove back along the roads, then a little bit of sunshine, enough to feel as if I was being welcomed back to Kawhia.

Tonight there are some other camper-vans but my little spot is still free, so I park under a huge tree next to the picnic table and enjoy the sunshine. Well, just until the next shower of warming rain decides to arrive. But, all in all, a successful day, a clear head after some water therapy and I’m starting to put a plan in place. Tomorrow, if the rain actually manages to stay away, I think I might go paddling on Kawhia Harbour.

My smiles today:
The Kiwi House.
A swimming pool.
The sound of all the birds.
The lizards and geckos.
Warm, soft rain.
Forward planning.

My thoughts today:
The most beautiful things in life are not things! They are people, places, memories and pictures, feelings, moments, smiles and laughter.

Until tomorrow, from Red and Cuzzie.

Ma Te Wa.

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Tuatara at Kiwi House.

Cute Gecko.

Day 365...Nearly One Year

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Another day, and it’s nearly a year since I left the shores of Takapuna on the 27th of October 2015, but now it’s just another great day in my world with no traffic, no stress and the sound of rain on Cuzzie’s roof. To the kayakers’ tune, out now, of “there’s been no paddling today”!

I wake as per normal, say a quick prayer to the weather forecast and start scanning the days ahead for something that looks like a possible chance to hit the water. That’s very quickly over and out of the way and my only frown is that I need to crawl out of bed and get out into the morning drizzle to do some exercise. Pulling on my cold running clothes, I stall for a moment or two, then get outside. I got a little wet from the drizzle but it was surprisingly warm outside. As I ran, I looked at all the Kawhia baches, mostly all with the curtains drawn and resting after a busy weekend of families and partying, not to be bothered with again until Christmas time. Yikes, that’s only a little while away!

Back in the campsite, I must look like a gym junkie doing my circuit and weight training under the tree just next to Cuzzie. Actually, I reckon I was finished well before any of the other campers had even managed to open their curtains! I’m satisfied and happy with my start to today so far, now it’s time to get clean and dry, eat breakfast and turn on the laptop; emails to write and stories to be compiled. It usually takes some time for me to get focused but soon I have everything underway and get lots done before lunchtime. I then pack up Cuzzie and drive over to Aotea Beach and Harbour. As it’s low tide, I take a walk out along a track to the harbour mouth entrance and stare out at the waves in the far distance, looking for possible gaps in the white caps to see if there’s an opening to get into this harbour if need be.

Then after chasing huge crabs in the rock pools I wander back down the beach, in what proves to be rather soft and deep sand at times, to grab a late lunch, sit indoors and be relieved to have missed getting rained on while walking. I actually never even knew that Aotea Harbour existed until I was in Kawhia a few weeks ago, another first for me. The sun appeared briefly today but, very soon, the rain and mist return to my world, so I retreat back to my campsite, read the daily news, drag out a book and read a few pages.

Then, I just can’t help myself  and I start looking at maps and the coastline ahead. This takes up much of the late afternoon so, on a day when I thought I had plenty of time to get tons done, I have managed to get side-tracked many times and it seems the day is all but over now. As the birds start to roost in the willow trees around me, the rain also stops for a little while and the wind has died down a little in this world of mine. Kawhia seems to have a wonderful peaceful feel about it which is great for keeping me calmer, so I’m truly glad to have found this cute location.

My smiles today:
Kingfishers are so beautiful.
Rock pools and huge crabs.
The calming harbour.
The comfort of Cuzzie on a rainy day.
A donation to the charity bucket. Thanking you kindly.
Warm rain.

My thoughts today:
Learn how to have fun without drinking.
Talk without a cell phone.
Dream without drugs.
Smile without selfies.
Love without conditions.

Enjoy the rest of today. Cheers from Red. 

Ma Te Wa.

P.S. I’m off for an early evening walk, to sit and stare at the harbour.

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Aotea Harbour Cliffs.

Rocks, rock-pools and harbour waves.

Day 364..Campsite Heaven

Monday 24 October 2016

At 4am I was awakened by my alarm! Oops, I had forgotten to turn it off! Later on I rolled over to check the weather updates as per normal and was reassured that the wind was not allowing for it to be a paddling day. I would not be making it to Raglan today, but I already knew that last night. It never will stop me from re-checking it. 

Today, like for all of you, it felt like a Sunday! The only people up early this morning are the kids playing football before even the sun had awoken. It made me smile to just lie in bed and listen to the chatter and them having so much fun. Camping and this holiday life is an incredible time for kids. I still remember my camping holidays vividly. It was all fun and laughter.

Once we do get up it is a check-up on a couple of small wrist aches from yesterday's paddle, then breakfast, repairs on Cuzzie, and cleaning and tidying stuff. The rain clouds tried to arrive but never did it actually rain. What did I do for my Labour weekend Monday? Well I just enjoyed this little campsite with its amazing atmosphere, kids, families, smiles, lots of laughter, and the boats heading out to go fishing on the harbour before having to pack to go home. I talked with the local fishermen about the coastline and the landings and the swells etc; there is never too much information from the locals. I could actually listen all day. We hear fishing stories, boating tips, and other adventures. I never actually tire of listening to it all. I just do not have enough space in my brain sometimes to absorb it all.

We then wandered down to look at the wood and stone carvers in action at the waterfront of Kawhia. Oh such a talent! Something I would not attempt and a skill I do not have in me, but admire I surely did. We then enjoyed our fresh, pan-fried scallops for lunch and then sadly packed up Jase's ute for home as he is to head north for his work. Do I need a support person? Well not for a few days that is for sure. It is sort of a pattern at the moment. I get one day to gap it as far as I can and then I stop and down paddle and wait for another gap. 7 to 10 days to get to know the locals, the area and the coast. 

This afternoon, this little place has returned to myself and a couple of other camper-vans as everyone has left for home. I am back to just myself and Cuzzie. Is that okay? To be honest, yes. I always make sure I have plans and lists to keep me busy, walks and hiking to do and I have a huge harbour to explore in Louise while I wait. Along with a fantastic camping location. During these solo times that I have learnt to treasure, me time is for me , and fun. No wonder I enjoyed the Fiordlands! 

For now, this evening the wind has dropped and this makes me frown just a tad! But I do not dwell as a family arrive back from a very successful fishing trip and I watch the story telling from afar. Another smile to end a very peaceful and tranquil day. Kawhia is a hidden gem of a location (visit one day) and it will be my basecamp for the next few days while I go sightseeing and eventually can head back to relaunch from Marokopa. Until then I am going to enjoy myself. Even if it is in rain and wind.

My smiles today:
Kids enjoying camp life.
A pet blue tongue lizard.
Fresh, open and honest kids.
Kingfishers. Beautiful.
Labour weekend enjoyment.
Simple lives are the easiest.
Warm black sand on my feet.
Kawhia made us both smile. 

My thoughts today:
I may not be there yet. But I'm closer than I was yesterday. 

Goodnight from Red.

Ma Te Wa.

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Kawhia Harbour this evening.

Incredible coastline of Taranaki.

Waterfalls from the cliffs in Taranaki.

Day 363...Farewell Taranaki

Sunday 23 October 2016

For the kayakers, a paddle day today! 74km Wai iti to Kiritehere Beach (just South of Marokopa). On the water. At 6.10am, and with a couple of cold waves splash in my face, I am fully awake and on my way. As I pass by Whitecliffs I see 3 kayakers paddling south, a little closer inshore than me, so I wave from a distance but I doubted that I was seen.

A couple of times during my paddle I looked over my shoulder, back at Mt Taranaki. Today again it was an amazing clear blue sky and the mountain was in full view; it is such an awesome sight. The cliffs looked like they are cut by a cookie cutter, as they are all jagged and shaped like waves edges along this coast. Caves can also be seen often along this coast and I wonder how many people have actually been and explored them. Very few I am sure.

Checkpoints with Jase went really well, I was ahead of schedule most of the trip but he was there, ready and waiting. As per normal Mr "Have-a-chat" (aka Jase) had also found new friends on nearly every beach! He waited for me and he learnt about white-baiting, and that the guys who use the hand nets are known as scoopers! Jase I think drove much further than my paddle today. Up and along numerous back roads, he discovered a tunnel at Waikawau which lead down to the beach and it seems he has had a fun filled day. Sun, adventures and discovery, and no on-water dramas from me.

I had to dodge a couple of Kontiki fishing rigs whilst paddling,  and a few little blue penguins, but all and all the swell was pleasant and the wind shifted about but mainly it was behind me, if on my side. Not to much of a bother. The last 19kms probably was the most challenging. Rougher now as the wind had arrived and picked up the small swell and as I rounded the Tirua Point it was fairly blowing me and the bigger swell along. I looked longingly in the distance at Albatross Point and had to admit to myself that I would be dreaming to think in these conditions to try and push another 25kms (or more) past and around this tip today. Nope, it was not going to happen, and to be honest after paddling the final 9km to my beach landing at Kiritehere I was pleased to be getting off the water. It was an okay beach to land at and far better than a river mouth bar to cross.

By the time we had dragged Louise up to Cuzzie and de-rigged and got sorted the wind had cooled me off and I was pleased to be out of my kayak gear and back in my woollen leggings!
We locate the last bag of chippies and munch on them while driving and at last we locate internet in time to roll the weather forecast! As predicted it is again a day off the water. I am used to this by now, so I just smile. As we drive back to our rendezvous location we share our stories and sights. Both of us have had a great day and while I write my blog, chat to the campsite kids, and say thank you to Jacobs mum for the fresh scallops, Jase cooks dinner. Showers, a cup of tea and an early night. I quietly thank Mother Nature for another glorious west coast paddling day.

My smiles today:
A full paddling day on the water.
Mr "Have-a-Chat" in action (aka Jase).
Fresh scallops, yum. Thanks.
The campground kids.
Support crews adventures.
To all my friends for their continued support. Thanks for the txts, emails and calls today.

My thoughts today:
At first they will ask why you're doing it. Later they'll ask how you did it. I do not have the answer to either yet!

Goodnight from Red, Mr "Have-a-Chat" and Cuzzie.

Ma Te Wa.

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Blue-bird day at Rapanui Stream.

Cool walking tunnel to Waikawau Beach.

Day 362...Fingers Crossed

Saturday 22 October 2016

A beautiful morning. Saturday and what a great start to Labour weekend. Coffee and breakfast in the sunshine, chats to the kids, and then more chatting to get as much local information absorbed as possible. We re-check maps of this harbour mouth and the coastline, then we walk along the beach checking out the waves and good vantage points to look at the north and south boat access. Did it help? Yes for me it did.

Then it was into Cuzzie, a quick goodbye to the campsite people, and south we headed. It was a few hours driving but there was only a couple of crazy drivers on the road. We do a couple of u-turns along the way, stopping for a fresh berry icecream for Jase, and also to check out the locations I had marked along the way for checkpoints for the next possible paddle day. Then as we neared the turn off for Damper Falls, I suggested we head down this road. It was a 30km detour to Damper Falls but each time I had passed it I promised myself I would tick this off the list of things to do!

Lunch and then a fast hike to the falls and back, after having been to Bridal Veil Falls in full rain filled glory, seeing this 75m waterfall was a little less spectacular but in it's own way it was still a memorable sight. Then it was back over Mount Messenger, a quick fill up on diesel, and then a stop to grab fresh farm eggs. Poor driver Jase was made to stop often and seemed to be having to u-turn and detour rather a lot today, as well as me being a hideous passenger. He stayed calm and just kept smiling, so then we made another detour to sit in the sun at "White Cliffs Brewary" (Mikes brew). I had a lemonade shandy and Jase had a thirst quenching Pils-nah (yes that is the correct spelling). Sitting in the sunshine away from the cool wind was wonderful and I could have stayed in this little place for much longer. But it was now a need to get sorted and onto our campsite location.

This road has been driven a number of times now so in a way I just want to move forward and say good bye to Taranaki and get further north. I read the other day there are only 10 Fridays left till Christmas, and now probably only 9! To paddle when ever possible is still forefront in my mind. A one-pot wonder tonight for dinner. All my gear is checked and at the ready for a possible day on the ocean soon.

My smiles today:
Campsites and kids.. such an iconic kiwi site..
Fresh berry ice creams- summer fun.
The continued warm sunshine.
Sitting in a lawn enjoying a local lemonade & beer with Jase.
Cute Wai iti Campsite.
Back by the west coast ocean.
The weather forecast.
Flowers that remind me of my home- white roses!..

My thoughts:
May your weekend be filled with good thoughts, kind people, & happy moments.

Goodnight from Red.

Ma Te Wa.

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Beer garden.

Waterfalls.

Icecream!

Day 361...Rendezvous and Kids

Friday 21 October 2016

Today was my time and the day to head back to my camper-van and back to the ocean. First a peaceful run, then a chance to sit in the Taupo sunshine and chat for a while, then it was on the road towards my meeting point with support crew Jason. I am forever hopeful.

Along the country roads away from the Labour weekend traffic Cuzzie and I weave, green hills, sheep and lambs, cows; everywhere I look it makes me smile because I can hear Anna's voice in my head admiring the rolling green hills and our countryside. Since all the rain I reckon the grass was even greener, if that is truly possible. All seasons today while driving. Sunshine, then heavy rain showers. I was happy weaving along the road and feeling happy to be getting back out to the coast. But I was also feeling the need to hit the water and get further north paddling (and so must most of you).

I arrive and get chatting to the regulars at this camping ground. The kids sit in Cuzzie for hours chatting and showing me their fishing tackle gear! Kawhia campsite tonight, which is really lovely, quaint and nice. The campsite is full with boats and camper-vans. We have become camper-van central to the regular kids. Jacob, Lachlan and Nathan, Leen and Jakob, Chetwin; these kids are brilliant and full of chatter, and at present they are running and biking races around the campsite. Jason has arrived from Auckland and is timing them while I am in charge of the whiteboard and writing the results!

Also we are being shown card games while I get dinner underway. The boys all head off in different directions for their dinners. I then had time for a quick walk on the beach and to be thankful for another wonderful day. Further south tomorrow, weather reports studied and planning in progress. T-bone steaks, roasted veges, home grown salads and avocado for dinner (yum!).

My smiles today:
Rolling green pastures.
The ocean and harbour.
Labour weekend. Everyone seems happy it has arrived.
Summer is starting. Blue skies.
Scallops in this harbour!
Kids chatting openly and honestly.

My thoughts today:
Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and so gorgeous at the end.

To everyone: have a wonderful and safe Labour weekend. 

Goodnight from Red. 

Ma Te Wa.

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Kawhia Harbour.

DAY 360...Focus

Thursday 20 October 2016

As you have probably all gathered, I’m only focusing on one mission at the moment and that’ s to stay put and be ready for when I hope to be able to hit the ocean water again really soon. My day is just about making sure I keep up my routines and that, at the end of each day, I feel happy to have completed and ticked all the training boxes. For the kayakers who are waiting for another paddling day, it is coming but for now, let me just share my days of training when I’m not able to paddle. This is what works for me (and yes, I also did this before the journey started and was working).

A 10km run. Today it was a 5km warm-up run, then I turned and did 40 jogging steps and then 40 sprinting steps all the way back on the return 5kms. Then some toe-high knee sprints and high knee fast sprints (x 10). The lake was calm again today, so I grabbed Louise off the roof rack and went for a calm paddle for just one hour, annoying all the birdlife as I cruised along the lake edge and under the willow trees. A late breakfast and then jobs in Cuzzie.

I still had my afternoon swimming to complete, so I got to the pools early. Today I had planned a longer session but it ended up being even longer than I had originally planned. I can't explain my swimming pool brain but, after the first twenty lengths, I just switched into remote control and away I went. 4kms later, I evicted myself from the pools. I’m pleased with how the swimming/kayaking seem to complement each other and I’m also pleased to share with anyone getting ready to dust off the cobwebs of their beloved kayak and get back into some paddling for the remaining part of the year that there’s nothing worse than not being able to enjoy a great day on the water in the summer. Even if your arms and body ache within the first hour of your day's adventures.

There you go, a day in Red’s training world. It varies each day, depending on length and intensity. But when I can’t paddle north, I continue to try really hard to stay as fit as I possibly can, as well as eyeing up potential projects for 2017/18. This morning I also went for a trip down memory lane. To Acacia Bay to be exact, to check out the house I once owned and lived in and where I planted a beautiful kowhai tree in celebration of my son’s birth. I was so very happy to see the selfsame kowhai tree still on the front lawn after 28 years! Wow, how very cool! Thanks to whoever owns this house now for keeping the pretty yellow-flowering tree.

Taupo has had a little rain today, mixed with sun and wind but I”m not too bothered. In all honesty, I have totally enjoyed my day. I’ve been outside all day, motivated and just "doing it" with no excuses. After all, my number one pet dislike is "excuses"! I am focused on upcoming paddling so no excuses, unless of course, Mother Nature gets in the way.

My smiles today:
My reason for loving kowhai trees.
A trip down memory lane.
A 4km swim; a brilliant feeling!
Paddling on a calm lake in the morning rain!
No cats playing with birds!

My thoughts today:
A great read: "Ambition is not enough - you have to do unrequited things that others don’t do, so you can stand out from the rest." - King Cas

Goodnight from Red!

Ma Te Wa.

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Kohwai flowers.

Bennie the cat.

DAY 359...Eat, Sleep, Train, Repeat

Wednesday 19 October 2016

Well, the slogan on most of my T-shirts says "eat, sleep, paddle, repeat" but of late, I’ve had to change one of the words, with “paddle” becoming “train”! However, it’s in rather a lovely part of the country that I’m having to repeat some more of the same. I vary the run, mix up the sprints, and change locations a little for the outdoor circuit, so that I have a new view when it’s comes time to consume my breakfast and enjoy the outdoor dining on this sheltered part of Lake Taupo.

The lake was looking a little calmer today so, instead of heading to the pools, I unloaded Louise, stopped to chat to some lovely Australian tourists for rather a long time, then hit the water, the wind and the very small waves on the lake. I paddled into the wind for just on an hour, enjoying being out on the water again. The thrill of gliding along still makes me happy and the sound of the paddle is something I enjoy zoning into. Before I know it, I’m due to turn, unless I just keep on paddling to the end! But no, not today. Perhaps some other time I’ll go around this stunning lake and camp somewhere along the shoreline. As I turn, I surf the small waves and get blown along by the wind. It’s a beautiful feeling whizzing along as I go past the boat ramp and paddle back in and around Two Mile Bay and the lake front before returning to load up and go grab a late lunch.

This has been a first for me. Never before have I paddled on Lake Taupo and now I wonder why it hasn’t been on my radar. Thanks Taupo, what a lovely way to finish my training! Back home for my lunch, and just in time to save another bird from the wretched cat! This bird had lost a couple of feathers but it did manage to fly away when I tossed it out the window. Honestly
Heidi, I really don’t need or want to eat a starling as some form of new-found food!

Now for another first; I’m going to the movies! Strangely enough, I’m looking forward to some light entertainment in the form of "Bridget Jones’ Baby". Yes, in this film (men stay at home) there are no car chases, guns or fighting, so most females will enjoy it and laugh a lot! On the way home along the lake front, I saw a glorious sunset and also allowed myself a faint smile of hope so far as the upcoming forecasts are concerned. Maybe, just maybe sometime soon, I’ll be able to move a little further north before the end of Labour Weekend.

Homemade burgers for dinner with all the trimmings (yum!). Rain tomorrow, but with a possible paddle on a fresh water lake with swans, New Zealand scaups (little dark diving ducks) and (doubtless) a few trout.

My smiles today:
Talking with strangers and parting as friends.
My lovely lake paddle.
Homemade burgers.
Going to the movies!
Another terrified bird. Thanks, but no thanks, Heidi.
Tog tan lines from the outdoor pools (really!).
This evening’s sunset.
Beautiful willow trees.

My thoughts today:
The person I am today would like to thank the person I was five years ago for not giving up.

Goodnight from Red, Louise, Cuzzie and Heidi the cat. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Another Taupo sunset.

Lake view.

DAY 358...Don't Forget to Stop and Look

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Okay, thanks to the well-meaning few who felt they needed to remind me that there’s a high weather pattern over the North Island at the moment. Sunny for sure, but the general weather forecast seems to miss a couple of things. There is also some wind, and no, although it’s not gale force, neither is it what I require to complete a 75km day paddling. Waiting it out is what I’m doing. It maybe boring for some, but it’s not their journey! 

While it was still early, I nailed my morning running. It felt better today. Even at 6.30am, the lake looked like I may actually get out on the water later on today. I was beginning to like my running course and it’s certainly nice to run in the coolness of the morning. Back and time to load up Cuzzie to go and find a location with an incredible view in which to cook and eat my breakfast. Why not, when I have a café on wheels in which to enjoy all of these great locations! I do have a chuckle to myself, as I can see myself back in Auckland, unemployed, driving about and looking for new locations to visit in order to be able to continue this uncontrollable urge to be in my camper-van! Maybe I just need to just work in a travelling coffee cart! 

But, back to this morning. As I was locking up, Heidi (one of the three on site cats) burst through the cat door with a gift for me. Oh, no, a huge bird that was still alive and squawking loudly. Thank goodness I managed to rescue it and let it go back outside. Poor bird, poor Heidi! She hasn’t looked at me the same way since this morning. In fact, I would say she’s pretty miffed at me for letting it go! It was off out the door, grateful that I didn’t have to return home to a roomful of feathers!

The moon still was high in the sky and it always reminds me of how ignorant one can be as, once upon a time, I never even thought much about the moon setting during the day. I just assumed it disappeared when the sun arrived. Typical lack of observation on my part sometimes! Or, maybe, just plain dumb! I find a fabulous vantage point, looking out towards the mountains covered in snow, and was blown away yet again about how beautiful this sight actually is when you have time to sit and admire it. Today, I just happened to have this luxury.

Town seems quiet as I head in to do boring stuff like mobile top-ups. None of the other shops actually appeal to me to wander into them (sorry shopkeepers!). Kathmandu nearly had me in to browse but, holy heck, do I really need any more black leggings? Absolutely not!! Actually I’ll have to learn to wear something else on my return home, although I still have a couple of months to go to put holes in the current ones in order for them to feel comfy and warm.

I head into the local info centre to get a few ideas on where I have to go and how long it’s going to take to paddle to the carvings out on the lake, as well as other freedom camping spots. After all, I may need them if I feel the urge to return to camper-van life for a night or two!! I’m now addicted to my little Ford Transit.

Got a call from my darling Nat today. She’s back from the USA, having had another fun adventure with lots of stories. I hope to have her back in Cuzzie to share a day or two with me early next month. Up to Spa Park to wander and look at the beautiful water flowing towards Huka Falls. Then lunch is eaten as I sit in the sunshine, trying to see if some nutter may decide to go Bungy-Jumping!! Alas, no-one to be seen today. The staff were also just also enjoying the sunny day. Maybe it’ll be busier over the long weekend.

Then it’s that time again. Water therapy in the outdoor swimming pool. I’m a little earlier today, although I’m actually still swimming when all the school kids arrive for their lessons! As I swim, I think how lucky I am now that my Dad made us learn to swim, dragging us to lessons and making us go in the swimming squad. Oh, how we moaned! But, now, it’s a blessing. Another successful day for me, all done and dusted, then back to this lovely house for the night. I’d almost forgotten how lovely Taupo can be on a sunny day. Quite a change from the noise of the ocean but, if I’m to be honest, quite calming all the same. Dinner and cats to talk to. The sun is still glowing and waiting for the moon to arrive and take over the night watch. I read a great article today about exercise and mental health. Do read it if you have a moment, it may help with that motivation to get out there tomorrow morning. (http://exerciseright.com.au/how-to-muscle-up-on-mental-illness-for-mental-health-month/)

My smiles today:
A gift of a bird from Heidi the cat.
Her look of horror as I freed the bird; a priceless moment!
My love for my camper-van Cuzzie.
NZ still more beautiful each day.
Exercise makes me smile. I dare you to try it!
Spring green growth and blossoms.
The incredible blue of this lake and river.
Chatting to Nat.
Glad I don’t have an urge to bungy-jump!

My thoughts today:
When you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing. But you have to remember to stop and look!

Goodnight from Red. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Taupo River waters.

Night sky.

DAY 357...Sunshine In My Soul

Monday 17 October 2016

It was a full, bright, moonlit night and then light really early this morning. While still in bed, I look at my weather forecasts and frown. Then it was up and out for my lake run, with a cool, fresh wind in my face as I head out along the tracks to Five Mile Bay. Then back again along the same track, doing my sprint part of the run! Lungs and heart having worked hard, at last I get back to my friend’s house where I have a quick early morning catch-up before grabbing my gear, together with a couple of kettle-bell weights, and jump into Cuzzie. The idea is to enjoy the sunshine and do my circuit training out in the park at Two Mile Bay, then to spend some time cooking breakfast in Cuzzie and enjoying the lake view. Also to actually spend some time in my camper-van as it has been my life for most of this trip and it feels weird not being in Cuzzie!

After my training is over, I have a late breakfast and do a few odd jobs, then head off to check out and do some sight-seeing around Kinloch. It’s been many years since I was last out here at Kinloch and it’s still as quaint and peaceful as ever wandering along the edge of the lake. There are numerous kowhai trees in full bloom and they shine bright yellow against the beautiful blue sky and the dark green rolling hills all around. I have lunch in the shelter and enjoy the warm sun. I’m happy but also making sure that I keep a mindful watch on the clock as I’m heading off to the pools for the end of my day. I wasn’t brave enough to get into the cold lake today but think I might just have a celebratory Labour Weekend swim in a few days time.

Now it’s time for my swim and I have to say that I like this outdoor pool. It’s good to feel the cold wind on my arms and shoulders and the warmth of the sun as well, bringing back memories of when I used to swim in this exact pool in the Taupo winter when I lived and trained here many years ago. Swimming was great and, at the end of the session, I have a great time chatting with a local swimmer with whom I had been sharing the same lane for most of my swimming session.

Back home and then it’s dinner. Thanks to Sue as I didn’t actually do much because I spent the next couple of hours looking at the weather. Another damn “maybe” day, so I made another damn decision, writing down what was good and what was bad about the forecast, then reminding myself why I need and want to paddle this next section. Needless to say, the negatives won, although I can’t promise the matter won’t come up for debate again tomorrow! Frittata, salad and chicken for dinner; how spoilt I am. (Thank you!) Tomorrow some more “memory lane” moments, weather watching and training.

My smiles today:
Training in the park.
Breakfast in Cuzzie.
Sunshine by the lake.
Revisiting places and memories.
Chatting with others, then decision-making time!

My thoughts today:
Hello, there’s sunshine in my soul today.

Goodnight from Red. 

Ma Te Wa.

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

Mountains.