By Ruth

Distance: 16 km

Today we said goodbye to Katie and Tom as they saw us off on our first day as NOBOs. We had a coffee and pastry at the tour centre in Manapouri and drove up to Mavora Lakes. When we arrived we saw three people we had met previously on TA sitting having a break by the lake. They were pretty surprised to see us hop out of a car! After chatting to the TA friends for a bit, we headed down to the little beach for one last NZ swim and picnic lunch together with Katie and Tom, before they headed out into the sunset and the rest of their honeymoon. It was such a wonderful 2 weeks of adventures and shenanigans, great chats in the car and over meals. It was sad to see them go.

The walk today was a fantastic reintroduction to TA. It was mostly a 4WD track, meaning nice and wide with an easy grade. The scenery was superb. It took us about 4 hours to reach the hut where we are staying tonight. Along the way we passed quite a few SOBO TAs, but no others that we knew. Once at the hut, we jumped in the river which was the perfect temperature to splash around and cool off from the hot and sunny day.

In the hut we met a few other walkers, including someone we had met previously at the Makahika centre near Levin, where she was house sitting.

Chatting to the people in the hut we learned that this hut is known for having a large mouse population. And a visit to the outhouse confirmed there are definitely no flush toilets… we are back on TA, alright! Despite the rustic atmosphere and sudden lack of luxuries, I am feeling good to be back on trail. Knowing I will be outside walking for the better part of every day, for the foreseeable future, feels great.