Part of the Puhoi to Auckland CBD section, was crossing the Okura River which with no way over it, no way under it, and no way around it, we had to go through it! Waiting with Hoomum for Hoo-pop to cross first, we could see it was much deeper than the trail notes had stated. Having returned to carry the 2nd pack and to make sure Hoomum didn't turn tail and scarpa (she's a big scaredy-cat around water), it was now our turn to cross. I was on Hoomum's shoulder listening to her knee-high whining, waist-high sweary-words, then boobie-high whimpering. But when the water reached her collarbone and she got the feary-panics, it was every bird for himself! I grabbed her hat flap and heaved my wonky avian body up to higher ground. I figured if she was going to be swallowed up by the murky, crocodile infested depths below, I could at least float over to the shore on a hat-raft. But thankfully we made it across with all limbs and feathers intact and while we couldn't film me and Hoomum crossing (phones were safely tucked away inside the pack), Hoo-pop did get a couple of photos when we emerged from the watery depths on the other side. NOTE: my safety and welfare is paramount (Hoomum would give her life for me), and the aim of my epic Kiwi adventure is to raise $25,000 for HUHANZ through donations to this Givealittle page:
