North Island - last words

On one of those days when we were trudging along a road with nothing better to do, we compiled a list of all the types of accommodation we had stayed in during this journey:

Tent, cabin, holiday home, motel, hotel, hostel, gypsy caravan, caravan, beneath a beach bach balcony, friend’s house, family’s house, lodge, DOC hut, convent, scout camp and woolshed. Never under the stars – maybe the South Island will lend itself to this.

I stumbled upon this peculiarly apt quote by Suzanne Aubert when we were staying at the convent in Jerusalem on the Wanganui River:

        “Life is a journey by road
        On the way we travel the dust is thick and the shade is scarce
        Let us know how to select the best place to halt,
        To bathe our eyes
        To shake off the dust that covers us
        And to wash our sore feet”

And I thought this was perfect for the day toiling over Colonial Knob:

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass;

it's about learning to dance in the rain."

So that’s the North Island, Cape Reinga to the south coast of Wellington. Have we really walked all that way? It seems unreal.

We couldn’t have got this far without those angels who helped us along the way – you were all absolutely brilliant and it has been awesome to have you share in our journey. Thank you each and every one of you.

On to the South Island we go in January. Until then, take care and follow your dreams.