By the numbers
28,468 steps
19.61kms
Te Kuiti
seems to be the sheep capital of New Zealand and is proud of that fact and even
has links to Te Kooti though it was only to do with him being in the area, but
something I need to read up on. The town slogan seems to be Where Legends
are Made. I thought they would make something about the running of the sheep
they do in their yearly muster, but they have that elsewhere too. Trains and
trucks do seem to rumble past at night, but I was no worried since I had a
comfortable bed to sleep in.
I decided today was the day that I would head out to the Mangaokewa
Gorge scenic reserve. Though it was my only full day in Te Kuiti as I would be
leaving for New Plymouth tomorrow. The next destination of my solo trip. My
clothes that I had hung up to dry were dry except for the shorts. I hung them
in the sun before I left for breakfast and then my wander up the road. I had my
trusty map that I would take anywhere even if I was concerned I would be going
in the wrong direction. I had breakfast at Tiffany’s, which I would do
regardless mainly for the joke and the movie that I have not seen. I did get
some sandwiches for lunch as it is never a good idea to not have something you
can eat especially when you are on the move. Lessons I have learnt too many
times when I have been out longer than expected.
After my big breakfast I decided now was the time to head
out to that gorge and see the sights while I was at it. For part of the way
there was a footpath, but I knew that would end really soon and I had no idea
where until I got there. I found the rugby club that also had a dedication to
its players and some living legends thing about the Meads. I have no idea who
they are at all, but someone will likely tell me. A small sign nearby was for
the national walking trail, but I had a look later and no idea where the actual
trail would have started. The walk to the entrance to the gorge was not that
far actually as it was around 3kms from town, but no footpath and narrow verges
that you have to be aware of traffic, which was not as heavy as I thought it
would be.
The Mangaokewa Gorge was meant to be part of
the local Maori as a hunting and medicine ground. The entrance to the side road
was unexpected and actually pretty quick if you did not take any notice of the
sign. On the way I knew there was a viaduct that the trains go over or just a
railway bridge. The viaduct is known as the Mangaokewa Viaduct and is meant to
be historic though I have read that its on the register. I was not expecting it
to be above me though I had my hat to blame since I didn’t notice it until I was
on the other side of the bridge. Looking up it looked interesting, but I really
wasn’t going to climb the hill as I might be in trouble if a train goes past
me. Once at the grounds there were very few people at that time of morning and
I had to cross a narrow one person bridge that took me to the walking trail. It
was like I was going through spiders webs, but not big ones like at home. The
walk takes around an hour and half, which includes a cascade and a waterfall
though both were small ones.
Once I returned to the reserve park, I had something to eat
and drink while cooling down. The weather was indeed hot enough for me. The
walk back to town was not very long though I needed to sit down as my feet were
getting sore. The place I was heading for was my room as I thought it was best
to have the afternoon off from doing very much at all. I did some reading and
when I went to go out gain for dinner, I found it had been raining. Once I got
back from getting some food the heavens opened up and poured down. I call it an
easy day and time to watch Indiana Jones. There are two motorbikes staying here
as well though I have not spoken to them and they look like tourers.
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