Today 26km from Ngaruawahia to Dinsdale, Hamilton

Total-765km

Today passed the 1/4 way mark! Crazy! Just kind of snuck up on me.

This morning I got going fairly early again to get into Hamilton and decide what I wanted to do, either stay there or push onwards. Needed to resupply at Pak n Save, eat alllll the food and get some new underwear.

The 20kms into Hamilton was along the Te Ara cycleway, including the epic new green Perry Bridge which only opened in the last year or so.

Had some really nice chats with locals along the way.

Beautiful easy walking trail along the river banks.

Was walking with two French girls who are also travelling solo.

Had arranged to meet a guy in Hamilton whose tripod I found on the trail a few days ago, and a girl who’d been hiking the last few days the same as me knew them and we all got massive burgers for lunch! Yum.

Next up was food buying for the next stretch to Te Kuiti. As usual ended up buying way too much food but not too bad. Lots of delicious snacks!

The afternoon sped away and I ended up getting in touch with Murray, a kiwi Trail Angel who has a cool cabin and tent space for hikers just 6km from Hamilton central right on the trail.

Had a lovely evening eating, and exchanging stories with Murray and his wife Catherine.

Murray has section hiked loads of the North Island, so had some good info on what was to come.

Thanks for the amazing dessert guys!

Unfortunately my feet are not doing that great, it would appear that the tops of my toes are rubbing on my shoes but I dont notice it while I’m walking. Luckily the soles and feet themselves are doing fine. Funny how this only happens after 1/4 of the trail!!