Day 7 | Tenting by a waterfall
20 October 2022 | 18°C | 27km
The sun is still not out when I wake up, but the birds are already chirping to welcome a new day. I pack my stuff to head over to the porch for breakfast with Eva: unfortunately, I cannot find my spoon. Not good as it’s the only „tool“ I have for eating. I hope it’s somewhere hidden in my pack or in my tent. I’m very much looking forward to my breakfast as I can have milk powder now so I can have coffee WITH milk. Small pleasures :)
Today it’s the second part of the detour, which means a 20 km roadwalk to the next town. I’m a bit worried because I can already feel my left ankle. Its mainly farmland to the left, and the right of the street; sheep, cows, and farm buildings. Nice walk though. As always when walking on the road, there is dead possums, and I wonder when I will see one alive for the first time. Seb, Sabrina and Eva catch up with me after the first 10 kilometers. After a short break, we continue walking together and reach Mangamuka at 1 PM. I am happy that my foot held up well.
Quite a few hikers hang out at the dairy (small grocery shop). Good stop for ice cream, fries or a burger. I opt for a toasted sandwich. I do some stretches while waiting as my legs are very sore from the roadwalk today. I am tempted to stay a the campground here but as most of the people I know continue, I do to. Next campground in the rain forest in 12km.
I go slow and fall behind. Phil is stopping to see if I am ok and we start talking about fishing & hunting. Once we stop for a quick break, we realize that we missed the turn to the rain forest. Damn! My foot still hurts. Looking at the map, we see an alternative trail that would lead us back to the TA the next day, so we decide not to backtrack. Talking to a farmer who passes by on a quad, we learn that there is a nice camp spot by a waterfall a bit further up. Wild camping for the first time on this trail. Missed it!