Many people, well a few, have given me a bit of credence for being intrepid. I don’t deserve a lot of congratulation for that attribute. What I have done at this stage in my life, although it might seem fearless, is fairly carefully thought out. Peter and I aren’t travelling through jungles or deserts. We are still in familiar surroundings with people who speak the same language. We are able to communicate if some difficulty arises and we have friends and family to reach out to, who are not that far away.
So I question the word intrepid, especially when I got a bit nervous going over Takaka Hill. I worried that I must be getting older and consequently more hesitant to go where every man and his caravan does go. Everyone goes over Takaka Hill. The road is steep but no steeper than the viaduct on the West Coast or the Lindis Pass or a myriad of other hills we have traversed. But it did go on for a while and I was over Takaka Hill before we were over it.
However, like giving birth to a child, once you are over the hill, or have given birth, it all seems worthwhile. It is lovely here in the camp, sitting by the bay and watching cranes operating at the wharf.
Golden Bay is well named and Peter and I have enjoyed our week exploring. It is so lovely here. Actually, we are going to stay longer. Possibly we may never leave.
That is a little joke because I know I am intrepid and no hill is going to stop me travelling where I want.