After an accident on the trail, The Long Way Home gets just that little bit longer for Bruce Hopkins.

Bruce Hopkins' leg is bung.

A nasty fall last week means he's off Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail and is back home in Auckland recovering from a deep and serious infection in his left leg.

What does this mean for his goal to walk to Rakiura/Stewart Island? Has the curse of big brother Doug struck again?

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week Four, 4 - 11 November 2017
Helena Bay - Auckland

"I continue to exercise patience as a patient, waiting for my cellulitis infected left shin to heal. This infection developed after my left shin laid a heavy kiss upon my hiking poles on the glorious sands of Ocean Beach as my left foot slid out from under me, thanks to some seaweed and jellyfish providing a form of mini ice rink.

"Following the smash of my shins onto said hiking poles I still had six hours of hard-out climbing and descending of the Bream Head ridgeline on the Whangarei Heads. When I fell I had just finished three-plus hours tramping over Kauri mountain and along Ocean Beach."

"Once again I am facing the prospect of what will probably be 10 days of lay off while the medication rids me of the infection. The cellulitis is almost gone and I have finished the course of antibiotics so will have to check with the doctor about my options.

"I cannot risk starting the challenge of 9-10 hours walking in testing terrain with an 18kg pack on my back and maybe reigniting the whole affair.

"Bloody, bloody, bloody, bloody hell!"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details