Description
From North Cape To Bluff. On Foot at Eighty-five by A. H. Reed. ‘A younger man might have been tempted to break records, an older man. . . but then it is unlikely that there will ever be an older man than Mr A. H. Reed walking the whole length of New Zealand; therefore, the walk he has just completed must be considered as unique. It can never be equalled or exceeded because there will never be another A. H. Reed. There will never be another white-haired, white-moustached, ruddy-cheeked, spare-framed, waistcoated, floppy-hatted, ordinary yet extraordinary bundle of irrepressible energy loping along New Zealand’s highways and byways.(1961). Never seeming to hurry,always ready to exchange a cheery word with a child or a cynic, A,. H. Reed could and did outpace mentally and physically men half his age.’ The dust jacket has medium general wear with stains and scuffs and price clipped but the book remains tight and bright.
AI-Assisted Review –
At eighty-five, most consider slowing down; A. H. Reed laced up his boots. *From North Cape to Bluff: On Foot at Eighty-Five* chronicles the legendary New Zealand publisher’s astonishing walk the length of the country. Written with unpretentious charm, the narrative is less about conquering mileage and more about quiet communion with the land. Reed paints New Zealand’s rugged coastlines, misty forests, and remote townships with a naturalist’s eye and a storyteller’s warmth.
What elevates this travelogue is its gentle, defiant celebration of aging. Reed meets steep hills, unpredictable weather, and failing stamina with humor and grace, offering a timeless rebuttal to the idea that exploration belongs only to the young. Though the prose carries the straightforward cadence of mid-century travel writing, its spirit remains fiercely relevant. More than a geographical journey, this is a heartfelt ode to Aotearoa’s wild heart. For anyone who believes adventure has an expiration date, Reed’s memoir is both a revelation and a lasting inspiration.