Whangamomona to Te Wera

 

I walked away from The Republic of Whangamomona ("fong-or-more-more-nuh") at 0520hrs, wondering if I was crazy. All forecasters predicted rain so why not stay another night in comfort? Answer, to my own surprise, too boring.

I had SH 43 to myself and made Whangamomona Saddle by 0700hrs. Cloudy and sweaty, but great to be striding out after 3 straight days of inactivity.


Here, I watched a long tailed cuckoo being harried by a small dark indignant bird. Haven't seen a single whitehead (the host species) yet.

Another saddle to climb, this time Pohukura and the choice of west on Junction Road or south to Stratford, and direct to Mt Taranaki. 


South won. I saw a few wild goats, passed a few wandering cattlebeasts, smelled something lovely I couldn't find (twice) and walked in to Te Wera Camp about 5 minutes before the rain started.

It's a former Forest Service rangers camp, now operated by an educational trust.


It reminds me a lot of Glendhu Bay on Lake Wanaka. Sweet little cabins, exotic trees and rain.

So I've entertained myself reading memoirs of a hunting guide, watching very intense rain whilst warm and dry, and patting myself on the back for two good decisions (leave Wh, head S at crossroad).


There is an arboretum of timber trees and I've just gone for a look.



I've got hopes for a woodland of our own and here is how I'd love it to look.


I walked 27km to see this, well rewarded. Tomorrow I'm aiming for Stratford, to commence my assault  on Taranaki (honestly, language. All that militaristic jingoism about going for a walk).



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