Is this it? Has Bruce Hopkins finally made it all the way home?
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 31, 4 May - 9 May 2018
Invercargill - Rakiura/Stewart Island
"There ya bloody go!"
"I currently sit in the luxury of my dear cousins Colin and Margaret's wonderful abode on what has always felt like my spiritual home, Rakiura/Stewart Island, where I was born a fourth generation member of my mother's family."
"Astounding what putting one foot in front of the other along beaches, over mountains, through rivers and valleys, on sawtooth forest ridgelines, in knee deep snow (and more) can achieve. I will need to thank my body and myself at some stage when it all sinks in and I gain a perspective on what this journey has been at this stage of my life.
"As a 62 year-old privileged white middle class male, I have a propensity at times to beat myself up over feeling I have not succeeded in the material world."
"However the last six and 1/2 months saw any hint of that indulgence dissipate as I was required to stay ever present to the reality of not only where my next foot placement would be but also to ensure I would not plummet to my death, be swept away by a high flow river or freeze in ever wintering conditions.
"I have massive respect for all who take on Te Araroa, who bent the blades of grass and built the rock cairns ahead of me. You all made my navigation of this epic adventure that much easier. Thank you, thank, you thank you. I cannot even begin to express sufficiently my gratitude to the incredible trail angels I encountered, both friends I already knew and first time acquaintances. I am forever indebted to you, feel free to call on return the favour at any time!"
"Tis done!"