TA Day 56

TA Day 56: Wednesday 12 February 2025

Havelock - Davies Bay Campsite

Today we would reach the start of the Queen Charlotte Track (QCT) and our long-awaited hikecation could start!

We started with a luxurious breakfast that Lukas made for us - noodles with sprouts, bacon, chicken and eggs 😋

Then we went to Four square to buy the last few things we needed for our luxury hike on QCT.

Then it was time to go. Today we walked along the LINK Pathway for most of the day, and one part of the pathway was especially interesting because it was a reused old track, the Historic Bridle Path, constructed back in 1862. It was used for 40 years before a new road was built, and it fell into disuse.

In 2012 it was rediscovered and part of it became reused when the LINK pathway was being built, connecting Picton and Havelock for walkers and bikers.

Part of it went along the Queen Charlotte Drive, a road which we had driven on back when we had our rental car 2,5 months ago. Which Kim knew about but Lukas didn't realise until long after we had left it.

So interesting how different everything is from a walking vs a driving perspective!

When we walked along the road we passed Linkwater. Here we stopped by a tavern for a late lunch/early dinner. Lukas was very sleepy today and Kim had some issues with her "period". She doesn't actually have a period now because she is taking medication (contraception pills) for her Endometriosis, but today she was bleeding quite a lot compared to the new normal, and was experiencing some cramps too, but we still had a quite a good day. The last two hours left to Davies Campsite on QCT we spent listening to podcasts. The trail seemed great, just as good as the LINK pathway had been before.

We arrived at the campsite just before dark, and Kim had to spend some time on the toilet before going to bed... She was a bit worried her menstrual pads wouldn't be enough and was afraid of any leaks while sleeping... When she finally returned to the tent, there were possums everywhere, and they weren't scared at all. Just sat there, staring with their big eyes.

Kim cleaned herself, worried about the possums stealing anything, but went to bed anyway. Lukas was sleeping in an instant, but Kim lay awake, listening to the scary sounds that the possums were making, and had trouble falling asleep.

But in the end she became too tired, and the sleepiness finally won over the worry.

Today's:

Distance: 23.78 km

Ascent: 352 m

Descent: 362 m

Tent nights: 37/56

Weather: Sunny