"Head up towards a Scoria Quarry, passing through farmland up and over a ridge for your first dramatic view of Lake Taupo and, on a clear day, the Tongariro volcanoes in the background. Drop down to the lakeshore for lunch in the beautiful seclusion of Whakaipo Bay. Suggest your Support Crew organise the picnic!"
Heading off after the unexpected extended first stop we headed into the Quarry area. This we passed in through in a blur of heat... we were all starting warm up as the sun started to show itself... trying not to complain about the heat! Sun?! For most of you reading this you would be completely unaware of the forcasted weather for the weekend...
we had earlier in the week checked the metservices forcast: Rain, Rain and MORE Rain! So NO! sunshine was definitely not expected, but it sure was a welcome surprise!From the quarry out into the farmland and up the incredible hill...
...it looked impressive from the distance as we approached it... so many 'trailwalker ants' already making their way up...
... it looked impressive looking down from the top- fantastic views of the Lake and town and Mt Rhuapehu and Narahuhi peeking through the cloud below them in the distance... it looked impressive from below looking back 'at the ant trail' as we continued on our way into an amazing pine forest. It was impressive to be dare we say to be out of the sun but also very surprising to be walking on such soft ground... 
all the pine needles were layered thickly on the ground making it very springy and soft to walk over! Breaking out of the impressive pine forests we found we were already on the vibrant Checkpoint 2 run by the Girl Guides... with our huge support crew there waiting at the bottom of the hill cheering us on... WHAT AN AWESOME SIGHT! 
This Checkpoint just has to get a special mention.. for all the welcoming praise and hard work all the girl guides must have done in preparing signs for EVERY team on the trail! As you can see from our team photo we were well pleased when we discovered your handywork!!
After our photo stop we were taken by our support crew via the toilets to our lunch stop... and what a welcome sight that was... chairs to rest on under Matts fantastic tent put up to shade us... and a table with so many choices of delicious food... quiche made by Finnuala or Lorraines pasta salad... crisps and chocolate biscuits... we truely were spoilt for choice! With our whole support crew in attendance we were well looked after with clothing and clean shoes and socks being found for us, water refills being done and food being served we barely had to ask before our littlest wish was granted!
We truely did have the very BEST SUPPORT CREW for the day! It was tough tearing ourselves away from such good company and luxury... hence the photo moment as you cheered us on our way!
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