2011-2012 has been an emotional 12 months for us

We became kiwi citizens. Our kids, Ben and Beth survived the Christchurch earthquakes. I lost my mum and brother, Brian, to cancer in the same week. We sold our outdoor activity business in Hanmer Springs that we had run for ten years. We ran the Forest Camp as managers and we will celebrate 30 years of marriage.

It has been a time of intense emotions and hard work but a great network of friends and family has supported us.

Losing Brian at the age of 60 has convinced me that we have to “live life for today”. With that in mind Steve and I have decided that the best way to celebrate surviving, being kiwis and the “life of Brian” is to walk the length of New Zealand. Now here is the irony, Brian would be convinced that we are finally, totally and unreservedly barking mad!

Thanks to Ben and Beth for their support to let us go, to Sharon and Serge our Hanmer backstops and to Shalane for inspiration.

Follow us on our journey – meet us on the way with tea and scones, walk a section with us, join us for a beer or just support our cause and donate to Cancer research!

Feel free to add comments to our blog below, just click on "comments" below the blog entry and write in the box then add your name or be anonymous!!

Sunday 16 September 2012

We started the Te Araroa Trail from Cape Reinga on September 9th, Lynne's Mums birthday. It was a beautiful sunny day after a week of bad weather. Thanks to Mark at Marty's Adventures for the lift to the lighthouse. If the car could make it to the Cape we were sure we could make it too!!
We had a stunning walk around the Northern end of the Aupouri Penninsula to get to 90 mile beach. We had 3 nights out camping , a night at Hukekere Lodge - What an oasis and thanks so much to Gabrielle and Uncle for looking after us - then on to Ahipara. 
90 mile beach was stunning, the walk was quite demanding both physically and mentally as it is just "a long way!"
Ahipara is a gem and a surfer's paradise. Thanks to Anna at the Endless Summer Backpackers - well worth the extra 2 kilometers to Shipwreck Cove and a well earned rest.
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2 comments:

  1. Hey Lynn and Steve,
    great to see the adventure has started well, and with good weather.
    Here's a link to a photo of the first batch of scones. http://osbornefiles.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/best-of-luck-lynn-and-steve/
    Love, H, Joe and Andy.

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    Replies
    1. Great to hear from you, Sally took up the challenge with the scones!! Love to you all Lynne.

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