Taupo Trek v Taupo Trail

We decided before coming to NZ that it would be good to get in some mountain biking (Mr M) and some horse trekking (Mrs M) action.  Mrs M doesn’t ‘do’ mountain biking and Mr M can’t remember the last time he was on a horse, but Taupo was a good place to do both next door to each other.  It was also exciting as would be the first 3 hours spent apart for 7weeks and we were looking forward to reporting back on each other’s adventurous morning!!

Mr M collects his mountain bike OK and sets off into the forest on some intermediate trails which by all accounts are pretty tough even for Mr M!  Steep slopes, tree roots, fallen branches and a scary log jump are a walk in the park for Mr M – or at least that was what he reported back, fortunately all in one piece with no obvious injuries!

Mrs M collects her horse – an 11 year old called Jethro, who had had a tough life living in a paddock on his own before being rescued by the trekking centre.  We get on well, apparently he is a bit slow so that should suit me – nothing too boisterous!  We head off onto the trek a small group with our guide and a father and his 10year old daughter - who puts us all to shame with her riding skills – when the rest of us are hanging on for dear life and hoping to stay in the saddle!

Giddy up !

More confident we manage a trot and then a canter which is actually great fun – I am obviously a speed freak!  The 2 hours are over all too quickly, but I soon come to realize that I have had a full body work out, there is not one piece of me which doesn’t hurt and I have some fairly impressive bruises – not bad considering I didn’t fall off – I hope tonight’s campsite has a spa!

Close up of 'the bruise' on Mrs M's leg

All in all a good day in our sabbatical office!  Mr M concludes that due to the bruises Taupo Trail beats Taupo Trek.

Mrs M 
(written with leg elevated unable to move, covered in Ibruprofen gel – good job Mr M is cooking tea!)