Day 123. Bluff and the End of Te Araroa. March 4, 2016.
33 km
Invercargill km 2974 to Bluff km 3007.
A beautiful morning sky welcomed me as I walked out of the hostel.
Just outside of town the track follows a bike path along the estuary for 10 kilometers. I met 3 guys on bikes. They were finishing their Cape Reinga to Bluff ride which they started 12 days ago! Wow!
The daydreaming and reminiscing ended when I got to the highway. It was 16 kilometers of trying to not get killed by the many trucks and cars that whizzed past.
Finally that torture was over and it was 7 kilometers of walking over the headlands with gorgeous ocean views. There was almost no wind and I slowed down to reflect on and savor what I had done over the last 4 months.
I’m glad I did that because there wasn’t any solitude at the finish. There is a parking lot with lots of cars and people. But that was fun and I felt like a bit of a celebrity when I explained what I had just done.
Paulo, and the Swiss couple, Yannick and Lisa, also finished today. We went across the street and had a well deserved beer.
Back at Southern Comfort Backpackers there were lots of TA walkers who had recently finished the TA…. 10 Speed, Laura, Mathew, Clement, and Apoline. Later Sarah and her boyz showed up. They will finish tomorrow.
Later I had dinner with Alex and Helen who will finish tomorrow.
So now what? I fly out of Auckland on the 7th of April so I have one month to experience more of New Zealand. My body is feeling a bit battered and needs some rest. I want to go to Stewart Island to hike the Northwest Circuit. If my body still feels like walking and the weather cooperates there are other tracks I want to do. If not I guess I could be a normal tourist. If any NZ blog followers want to show me their area or host me I am open to anything.
I will write some more about the rest of my NZ adventure but maybe not daily. Once I get home I will post my gear list and gear review. I promise!
Thanks to everyone who followed and commented on my blog. You kept me motivated to keep writing.
nancyhikes 
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing 🙂
xoxo
Thank you
Hello Nancy! I read every word of your blog. What an adventure! Really loved the pictures along the way. It’s a beautiful country.
Thank you.
Whewhew! Magnificent! Thanks for the journey.
And I still have a month!
Thank you for your diligence in keeping the blog up to date. Your blog was my introduction to New Zealand and the TA. What friendly people and a spectacular country!
Great photos. Congratulations !!!
Dean
Thank you
So exciting! I’m super happy for you. What an amazing trip you had! I hope you’re able to heal up well and keep on trekking! 💙💪👣
I have seen lots of sailboats here. They all make me think of you!
Congrats on the walk! Oranges are ripening and some will be awaiting your return home. Followed your blog and now have a new perspective of New Zealand, it is nothing like New Zealand, MI. Great walk, see you when you return.
Yum. I can’t wait for your oranges. Something different than trail food.
Well – great job as usual. Diana and I have followed your amazing progress with awe. And from photos, we’ve been emulating your great gear list (shoes, pad, tent, stove, umbrella so far). Love to see the full list. Have fun, and thanks for being such an inspiration!
I will get it up. We need to get together after I get home.
Congratulations! Another long trail “bites the dust”. As your attorney, I advise you to be a “normal tourist” for a little while. Variety is the spice!
I’m not sure I know how to be a normal tourist.
Congrats! This the only way I’ll ever get to experience New Zealand..Thank you for sharing your walk with us all. Your writing and photos are the next best thing to being there. Enjoy the rest of your time in NZ.
Thank you and I will.
I vote for “normal” tourist. Listen to your bod which needs some deserved rest.
Congratulations, I have enjoyed all your posts
Ha, ha.
Congratulations and bravo!! It’s been great fun to follow your adventures. Enjoy NZ at a more leisurely pace.
I will.
Another great accomplishment.. cannot wait to see where you take us next. 😎🚶🍺
I do vote for some relaxing in the very near future…
I have had 2 relaxing days so far.
Well deserved relaxation.. and I would never expect your version of tourism to be normal.. and that is a good thing 🌟🌟🌟
Ha, ha.
Great! Congratulation fast Nancy 🙂 Think it was us giving you this name. Just because we are sooo slow and could keep up with slow Nancy for a while, telling everybody about you.
Anyway after having 5 tourist days on the westcoast we managed to walk to Arrowtown today. So we are not doing too bad, but probably just because we had nearly always good weather and not ans rain stopping us. Without that we would be much more behind you.
Enjoy your Tourist days, was great to meet you. Hugs Cécile and Lucas
Thank you for the name. It’s been fun when I introduce myself and I hear back “oh, you are Fast Nancy!” Please keep me posted on the rest of your walk. I hope the perfect weather continues for you.
Man oh man you are quite the inspiration! Congratulations on another remarkable accomplishment. Thank you for sharing your journey through your blog entries. That in itself is bonus kuddos!!!!!!!!! Rest up and eat a lot.
You know exactly how hard the blog thing is to keep going. Thanks.
So funny that my comment is just after Rockin’s:) We will all be reunited soon enough! Congrats and it was great fun to follow along. Looking forward to hearing all about it in person!
We will have lots to talk about! I am already forgetting the bad parts. By the time I see you I will be raving about this trail. There are some really good parts.
Well done, Enjoy Stewart Island. If you do get to Napier there is a bed here for you. However, we are a busy family and won’t be able to take you out and about tramping….we don’t think we could keep up with you anyway! Email us in advance. Kind regards, Tony and Joanna Cunningham.
Thank you so much for your generous offer. I’m flying back to Wellington 30 March but don’t have a plan past the first day yet. I will keep you posted
Hi Nancy
Thanks for sharing your adventures – it sounds like it was epic!
I was wondering – now you have finished TA – what your thoughts are on walking it as a solo female? Am contemplating..maybe only the North Island (or part thereof).
I never felt unsafe. Being solo opens up opportunities that you don’t get when in a group. Both are good tho. Keep your eyes and ears open and trust your judgement and first impression.
Thanks, I appreciate the insight and advice.
Thank you so much for the blogging! I`ve followed you from Regina to Bluff, and for a week its like I`ve been hiking TeAraora along with you! Now I`m ready for more hiking, maybe Arizona trail or Alaska 🙂