Day 83: Havelock to Pelorus Bridge

The highlights today were not really related to the trail. I had a bacon and egg pie and a date scone to start my day along with my not so flat white. The walking was along a highway and then a road and then a track along the bottom of some fields. Not that exciting although I did have to run a gauntlet of cows at one point.

The last km was through a forest and then across the Pelorus river on a swing bridge and then again on a road bridge. The water is amazingly clear and there were quite a few people enjoying the river.

I set up camp at the DOC Pelorus Bridge campsite and had a lovely dip myself. Steph, you would have been in heaven. I floated downstream and then walked back up to repeat. I then had the most decadent coffee I’ve ever had with ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce from the cafe here, I thought it might be too much, but it was just right. Not a bad way to spend the end of the afternoon. I also got my first resupply box with 9-10 days worth of food and somehow managed to stuff it all into my food bag and balance (front) pockets. I had a nice evening chatting with a Canadian bikepacker and a TAer from France, Elise, who I met today for the first time.

Day 84: Pelorus Bridge to Captain Creek hut

True to form, I took advantage of the café this morning and started the day with a smoked salmon frittata and a banana, chocolate chip and caramel muffin along with the requisite flat white. It put me in a good mood for the road walk that would take up the first half of the day. The road was gravel after the first few kms and meandered along the Pelorus river through farmland. The cows were all happily in their fields today.

I arrived at the trailhead around noon and started off into the Richmond Ranges for real. The track was rocky and rooty, but there were only a few small climbs. I stopped for lunch at a spot where there was access to the river and was immediately swarmed by sand flies. I only got a couple of bites so at least my bug repellent seems effective against them. It’s still annoying to have them buzzing around and I did end up eating at least one of them.

After lunch, it was just a couple of hours to the hut. I was tired from the heavier pack and glad to reach the hut. Since it’s next to the river, I had a quick swim before throwing on all my clothes to protect me from the sandflies. Elsa was already here and then an American couple arrived and a little later a German woman and a Finnish woman arrived. It’s just perfect since it’s a 6 bunk hut.

I also realized today that my shoes are done. The outer sole on one of them in particular is coming unglued and there are no treads left on them. My replacement shoes are at my next resupply point the other side of the Richmond Ranges, which is supposedly some of the most rugged track and has screen slopes to descend. so I’m considering exiting the trail in a couple of days to go get my new pair that are waiting for me in my resupply box or getting some from a nearby town.