My heart is pounding. My legs are burning. My back is tired from the weight of my pack but the beauty that surrounds me, the bird calls which are now becoming more frequent  again and the feeling of exhilaration as my body responds to the demands asked of it – this is what keeps me hiking.

I have enjoyed many day hikes in the North Island including Whakapapa ( Tongariro National Park), most of the big tracks in the South island – some more than once, and the three day hike on Stewart Island. The ultimate hike would have been  the last trip on the Milford Track when I was accompanied by my grandson. Such  a special time. And now the younger grandies are also stepping up with the last outing being the track at the base of the Kaimais.

The out doors have always been my passion and have been fortunate to have experiences overseas as well –much snorkeling in Fiji and other Pacific Islands,  cycling in Provence alone for eight days  when I spoke no French and unfortunately there was no one else on the tour which I had joined!!!  Walking between Vienna and Prague was also a most amazing and exciting challenge. 

Hiking is a most wonderful part of my life. It provides beauty. It provides balance.