The family's old truck did not enjoy the exertion, overheating to the point of needing repairs, and flooding closed the Waitomo Caves.
The nightmare ended in Auckland, where Emily's headaches were diagnosed as a symptom of brain cancer. She spent the next week receiving radiation treatment in Wellington.
Her time is limited now, but Race4Life set about making her holiday dream come true.
Their itinerary took them from Tutukaka to Paihia (for a Hole in the Rock cruise with Fullers GreatSights) and Kerikeri, and on Wednesday last week they arrived at Birdie's Cafe in Kaitaia, where they had lunch before heading north, staying at the DoC camp at Rarawa Beach before heading for Cape Reinga next day.
Thursday evening they were due at Omapere, where Pip Lloyd had dinner waiting for them at the Copthorne, and a private family outing to see Tane Mahuta (which Ada, who soon made friends with a local goat, was particularly looking forward to).
They left for Warkworth on Friday, flying back to Blenheim on Sunday (after catching a matinee performance of the musical Matilda at the Civic Theatre).
The weather had not been the best in the Bay of Islands, and the family had returned to Tutukaka briefly before turning north again, but they had seen the Stone Store and Kemp House (Emily has a Kemp family connection, and had not been there before), while a Perfect Day trip to the Poor Knights had been especially memorable.
Emily said she had seen a lot of New Zealand, and Northland was one of the "last pieces of the puzzle", while Race4Life's wish co-ordinator, Viv James, praised the generosity that had made it possible.
"The communities in Northland have been simply stunning in showing their compassion and love," she said.
