THIS IS MY FRIEND PHIL
He is walking the Te Araroa trail, 3,000km, from the top to the bottom of NZ. He is taking a long walk to think about things. He is walking to convalesce, contemplate, and to consider his next steps in life. A 4-month epic hike-thru adventure sums up all you need to know about this character. He is not afraid of change; he likes trying new things and - in a slight frenzy of disorganisation – likes to chew on more than what he can bite off.
Phil is thoughtful. Meaning his thoughts are full of others; he is careful with his words, mindful with his time, and deliberate in his actions. His koha when he stays is meaningful; he applies insight to contribute in a beautiful way – he bought us new soft light bulbs, because he heard us mention it in passing. This is kindness.
Phil set off from Te Rerenga Wairua, Cape Reinga, a spiritual place where Māori wairua (spirits) return to their traditional homeland. A nervous laugh or two, his spirits high, he was ready for his long journey home. He began with a heavy load of equipment and emotion, weight not sitting quite right on his shoulders, or his heart. When we saw him two weeks later, he had shed a little of each, his pack and soul a little lighter for the effort. The walking was working.
Although he might not be able to see it clearly now, he is teaching his children the power of doing hard things. I can picture Phil’s children, full of pride, telling their friends, “my Dad is walking the Te Araroa Trail”, stated with a sentiment not dissimilar to when Phil tells me about his father’s lifetime fascination with heritage tractors. It is clear that adventure is in the eye of the beholder, and the legacy of life’s lessons is sometimes invisible. Whether he sees it now or not, Phil is shaping his kids’ world view and showing them what is possible when you set your GPS and your mind to it. This a gift they will talk about for the rest of their lives - that time our dad walked the length of the country!
Although he set off on a solo mission, Phil has amassed a 14-strong gang of TA travellers as his friends. In true Phil fashion he has firmly tucked the young ones under his wing, exchanging wisdom for directions, gently lending his ear and careful advice. He sends us pictures drinking cold beers, eating ice-creams at every stop and his smile is wider every time.
Despite his puny, squinty, useless eyes, he sees the world clearly. Phil eats benevolence for breakfast and is finding the joy he deserves on this mighty journey. His reflections to date are that time is precious, having less stuff and more adventure is better for you, and a simple life is a good life.
On his hike through Phil stayed for two days to recoup and refresh and I dropped him back to the trail. With blisters the size of golf balls and a strained Achilles, he set off happy. With about 2,600km to go, it seems the pain is providing the perspective Phil was seeking. Quite frankly, I couldn’t wish the agony on a nicer guy.
Go well Phil: don’t get lost, eat and rest often, enjoy the solitude, and fill up your cup my friend.
Mauri Tu, Mauri Ora