Bruce Hopkins wants to take his dad and brother's ashes back home to Rakiura/Stewart Island. He’s just taking the long way to get there. The long, long way.
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Whiowhio Hut, in the backyard of Fiona and Anthony's home in Palmerston North. Photo: Whiowhio Hut
Having leapfrogged over a rough section of Te Araroa: New Zealand’s Trail, Bruce Hopkins walks into Palmerston North and stays at a DOC tramping hut – in someone’s backyard. He flies up to Auckland for a brief break over Christmas to reconnect with both whanau and his beloved Waitemata Harbour.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 10
17 December – 27 December 2017
Palmerston North - Auckland
“I’m back in Tamaki Makaurau for 10 days. The tide is right, so I’m heading into the sea for my first swim in a long time. I’ve had enough of this walking lark!
Some things never change. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
Photo: Bruce Hopkins
“If you live anywhere near the ocean, it’s kind of like your civic duty to swim. If you don’t know how, get someone to teach you. It’s our duty to dunk ourselves into that briney every now and then.
“Much like I’m discovering that walking in these bloody forests, as much of a slog as it can be, it’s kind of a duty. You’re honour bound, as citizens of this country, if you’re physically able, to go and have some time in that environment. It’s here for us.
“Shivers, listen to him! I’m going off to see the doc soon. Merry Christmas, anyway.”
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Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory. Executive Producer Tim Watkin.
