From the Psychotic to the Sublime

The Lake Waikaremoana Track

Day 5, Page 6: Waiharuru to Hopuruahine Landing

You could have a picnic here, if you weren't in a hurry to make the landing... Water levels are low this year. Many trampers would see no beach at all - just a lake coming right up to the path

I slow down for another mossy bank. I stopped for a packs-off and snack at Whanganui so I have a new lease of energy. I am beginning to wonder where Miranda has got to. I thought she'd have long ago caught me up.

Another combination of nature and technology which I smile at as I pass.

These hard fungi are common on rotting wood, but I still like to see them all the same.

It's a bit scrubby along here. The lake edge faces south and shows it a little.

though at other times you'd never guess.

Another drink of water as I start the old, "Forty five minutes they reckoned..."

I'm not really looking at the landscape any more just now, more taking time-lapse snapshots more or less on automatic. It's a strange emotional place.

I just want it to be over, now.

I have the usual slight shiver as I pass a really big tree, especially one hanging across the track like this.

More children's story track.

Is that the Hopuruahine River, or is that the next one round?

A sudden flash of laundry white grabs my attention. I still haven't identified it though.

Onwards...

Now, before the boardwalk was built there was obviously a cable along here for people to hang on to while they edged past. God, what I'd have given for a few of these on Day 1.

I grab a handful of fruit leather and munch on this for a bit.

We're heading up the side of the river we saw just a few moments ago.

These small bridges feature largely in blessing counting exercise.

Bloody rock.

That's a steepish bit.

Another suspension bridhe and another solidly designed one. I step onto it approvingly.