13 Nov 2017

Bung

From The Long Way Home, 2:00 pm on 13 November 2017

Bruce Hopkins wants to take the ashes of his dad and brother home to Rakiura/Stewart Island. He’s just taking the long way to get there. The long, long way. 

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An image of Bruce's left leg, showing the extent of the cellulitis, a bacterial infection, attacking the inner layers of the skin.

Cellulitis, a bacterial infection that attacks the inner layers of the skin. Photo: Bruce Hopkins

Bruce Hopkins' leg is bung.

A nasty fall last week means he's off Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail and is back home in Auckland recovering from a deep and serious infection in his left leg.

What does this mean for his goal to walk to Rakiura/Stewart Island? Has the curse of big brother Doug struck again?

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week Four

4 - 11 November 2017

Helena Bay - Auckland

"I continue to exercise patience as a patient, waiting for my cellulitis infected left shin to heal. This infection developed after my left shin laid a heavy kiss upon my hiking poles on the glorious sands of Ocean Beach as my left foot slid out from under me, thanks to some seaweed and jellyfish providing a form of mini ice rink.

"Following the smash of my shins onto said hiking poles I still had six hours of hard-out climbing and descending of the Bream Head ridgeline on the Whangarei Heads. When I fell I had just finished three-plus hours tramping over Kauri mountain and along Ocean Beach." 

A portrait of Freddie, Bruce's youngest moko, visiting him at home as he recovers.

Freddie, Bruce's youngest moko, visiting him at home as he recovers. Photo: Bruce Hopkins

"Once again I am facing the prospect of what will probably be 10 days of lay off while the medication rids me of the infection. The cellulitis is almost gone and I have finished the course of antibiotics so will have to check with the doctor about my options.

"I cannot risk starting the challenge of 9-10 hours walking in testing terrain with an 18kg pack on my back and maybe reigniting the whole affair.

"Bloody, bloody, bloody, bloody hell!"

The Long Way Home - whenua, whakapapa, whānau.

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Produced by Bruce Hopkins and Justin Gregory. Executive Producer Tim Watkin.

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