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Published: December 9th 2018
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8th December
No idea what time I woke up. Tea and egg sandwich for breakfast. Away from the site by 9.30 ish, set sat nav for a place called Thames, with a view of find a walk an route.
Just before I got to Thames I saw a sign for Kauaeranga Valley, so ignored sat nav and followed the signs. I was also long for a cafe as I need caffeine, but I was soon out in the sticks and realized there was no chance of a cafe, all my hopes pinned on the visitor centre.
No cafe at the visitor centre. Oh no! I had a look around all the maps and the walks were all pretty serious, any thing from 6 to 7 hrs to 4 or 5 days. I was seriously out of my depth here. Hmm.
I popped back to the van and made a sandwich had a read of my book, and talked myself in and out the back into doing a walk here. I put my boots on, packed snacks and water and headed back to the visitor centre to ask about a short walk of about an hour. The receptionist
gave me details of a walk of 1 and half hours, in reality I knew that this would probably take me nearer 2 hours. I asked about the terrain and she said it was just like the car park.
Ok, let's give go I thought. Having been caught out with walking longer distances in the past, I decided to set a timer for 30 minutes and see how I got on.
The walk is basically along a gravel road with a very slight incline, so pretty easy really. 30 minutes in and feeling good, so set time for another 15 minutes. I just beginning to feel it when the seconded timer went off and was pleased that I had not aimed for a distance.
By the time I got back to the visitor centre I was definitely feeling the effects of the walk, I had already had a glucose tablet on the way back. I grabbed a drink from the fridge, a mix of Apple and orange juice, which was surprisingly refreshing, and had a sit down for 10 minutes. I definitely needed coffee.
I head back to the van and back down the valley road to civilisation. When I got to the main road so headed left to Auckland rather left to Thames. I carried on for a while and came to a cafe and had coffee and a cheese and ham toastie, having downed 4 sachets if sugar whilst I was waiting. Still feeling shaky after my earlier walk.
I carry on towards Auckland with the intention if stopping of a the next camp site I see, well before I know it I am in Auckland traffic and heading over the harbour bridge. I pull over at the next service station I see, look through my pile of books and find a campsite less than 5km away.
First things, first, coffee. Oh and all day breakfast. Felt much better after my all day breakfast.
I get to my campsite about 6 and make myself a cuppa. I head for a walk along the coastal path and get chatting to a couple who had their beachside caravan decked out with the full works; Christmas tree, lights, Santa. I then managed to fall when I was talking to them as I did not realise I was stood on a slope. I explain the feet situation, my balance is definitely worse when I am tired. I get up a dust myself down and reassure them that I am ok and carry on with my walk.
I get back to my van, sort my bed and write my blog and climb into bed about 9.30.
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