Barefoot wanderer homes in on target

William Lucas is on the home straight in an attempt to be the first person to walk barefoot around New Zealand.

He and girlfriend Mami Yamaguchi (who wears shoes) strode the length of the South Island last summer.

Having taken a break over winter, he set out to conquer the North Island on December 2 from Cape Reinga and now has less than 140km to Wellington to complete the circumambulation.

He estimates to have pulled 300 prickles, thorns and hedgehog spines out of his feet in his time on the road.

Though his feet are showing signs of wear and tear, he says it has been a great way to get in touch with the land.

The Otago Polytechnic lecturer was inspired by publisher A.H. Reed, the first man to walk around New Zealand when in his 80s.

"I remember meeting him once as a child in 1968, and that put the seed in my mind of wanting to emulate him."

The couple are also fans of the wandering poets of Japan, and entered a Japanese translation of the diary of their South Island trip into a literary competition.

Along their travels they've stayed in a pa and a Sikh temple, and have been amazed by the spontaneous offers of accommodation and food they have received.

In an effort to be self-sufficient they converted a bicycle trailer into an all-purpose buggy, which they push around with them.

Mr Lucas would like to see roads in New Zealand made more accommodating to walkers and cyclists.

The couple's next plan is to walk barefoot around Japan in two years, and they expect a few more difficulties there.

- NZPA