Te Araroa (day 74) - Hill 745 to Colac Bay / mile 1832

"Writing is the most fun anyone can have by themselves" Terry Pratchett

Last TA special has been completed. Ten hours of walking through a relentless, knee+ deep mud. It took twenty minutes to wash my feet, socks and shoes in the stream at the end of it.

Weather in the morning was miserable. It was raining all night and things inside my tent were getting damp. I begun walking in the thick fog with head torch on. Mud started immediately on the downhill here and it was straight to the main course. I had to bushwalk around the biggest puddles as the mud would go over my waist if I tried to tackle it. I tried to keep it at knee deep level and duck to the side when possible.

Trail was going mainly through the forest but there was also few tussock sections and they could be deceptive. They looked shallow and innocent but were also quite deep. I tripped and landed on my knees twice going through them. Additionally I scored a butt and a face landing, sliding downhill on the shallow mud later on, it made me realize that I should slow down and enjoy this beautiful forest rather than try to mindlessly plow through it.

After reaching Martin's Hut, worst of the mud was over, but it only meant that I was unlikely to drown in it and it was easier to manoeuvre around. It was still very much knee deep and slow going track for the next couple of hours. Turnbull's Hut brough a sweet surprise. One of the previous TA hikers set up a trail magic here, soft drinks, fruit, chocolate bars and beers! The commitment of that person to bring all of this food here was astounding, trail angeling at it's very best, thank you!

I've finally reached the end of Longwood Forest at 4pm, two hours later than planned. It meant that I would not be able to push to Riverton today but staying at Colac Bay turned out to be a good alternative. I got a cabin all to myself for 30$, had a hot and much needed shower and washed my clothes. Thursday here was a "burger special day" at the tavern next door and I got a huge kiwi style venison steak in a bun with cheese, beetroot, onion rings and chips for 15$. It rocked my muddy socks off.

I followed that with a little bit less spectacular but also tasty "hot chocolate pudding" for 10$. Then I went to the games room and found Terry Pratchett's discworld novel "Jingo" at the exchange stall. Since I haven't got anything back for the last book I left at the holiday park I have adopted it.

Few hours later I got joined by Chetan, Kasia and a German couple I've been hiking in a bubble for the last couple of days. They all seemed content and relieved that they made it though this bonkers section. It was hell of a day for everyone.

It seems like all the heavy lifting on Te Araroa has been completed. Two more days remain and although it is only beach and roadwalking, the weather and tides can still mess with our plans. It's The Long Pathway after all, an unpredictable tramping extravaganza.