River at 1183km - Retaruke Hall (25km)

Today, we did 25km by accident. We had worked out we needed to do 18km a day to get to Whakahoro for the canoeing on Monday but we just kept going. We were walking a gravel road which meant we were walking quicker than usual and we had over an hours tea break only 2 hours in that gave us a bit of extra power too.

We stopped in on a farmhouse that had a sign outside for water, filled our water bottles up and continued on. The rain had started up again so we put waterproof coats on and just kept walking until we arrived at the Retaruke Hall.

We went through the gate into the field where we found a long drop toilet and looked for somewhere to pitch a tent. We spotted a shelter in the farthest corner of the field so waded through the long grass until our shoes and socks were saturated only to find the shelter floor was covered in old wood and bones from dead animals. We took shelter for a moment anyway and decided to sit it out until the rain stopped so we could pitch the tents on the long grass instead.

Luke went to use the toilet but before he left, Renee suggested he should check the doors to the hall.

From there, this is what happened:

*Luke returns to the shelter.*
Luke: oh a sandwich!
*he sits down and starts to eat*
Luke: when we pitch our tents on that long grass, our tents are going to get soaking wet.
*Everyone looks sad but continue to eat and sort bags etc... a few minutes pass.*
Luke: oh, by the way, the hall is open over there and there are flushable toilets and soap, and probably enough space to sleep 6 people.
Everyone: what!? Then why are we all sitting here in the rain!?
Luke: well there are lots of dead flies.
Daisy: There's a f***ing spine here!!
*points to part of dead animal under shelter*

So once we'd all established there was shelter without dead animals and cow shit everywhere, we threw our bags on our backs and waxed back through the wet grass to the hall.

The door that was open was the side door to the toilets- the door from there into the hall was locked. There was just enough space for us to fit in with our bags so we took shelter from the rain, planned to cook inside, but looked out of the window for somewhere to pitch the tents outside.

We stayed inside for a few minutes until Renee said what we were all thinking - 'I wonder if the window would open?'

Luke and Renee went around to the window while Olli and I waited in anticipation - there was a scuffle from inside and then we heard the bolt go on the door- we were in!!

Though technically we weren't supposed to be there, we all agreed that if a New Zealander found us, they would probably be happy for us to stay... so we did!

We spread our bags out and hung our clothes up to dry, set up our roll mats and sleeping bags on the floor and did some yoga after dinner.

Another lush day!