Bruce Hopkins wants to take his dad and brother's ashes back home to Rakiura/Stewart Island. He’s just taking the long way to get there. The long, long way.
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Bruce Hopkins is in Te Wai Pounamu, on the second leg of Te Araroa.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 26
29 March – 2 April 2018.
Arthurs Pass – Topp Lodge, Ashburton
" What's the most dangerous situation you've ever found yourself in?
"I had one in the Tararuas - I took a tumble off a little rock face and was ever appreciative I came out of that alive.
" I never expected that I'd be at Lake Coleridge Lodge this evening ... and it's very cool. I'm having a beer and sitting in front of the fire ...
"1966? Your parents hauled you out to Milford Track, at 14? Wow!
" You guys (the Topp Twins) are like ... adhesive that brings people together. .. You cross the whole spectrum. My parents, you know, my dad, a hard-arsed commercial fisherman. They just loved the Topp Twins! Anything to do with the Topp Twins. ...
"A live hedgehog? I thought it was a toy one! ... Look at that! Imagine being able to coil yourself up like that?"