Tapawera to Murchison: Burrrr!!

Friday, October 31, 2014

Alight, this day can technically be qualified as my most challenging day on the road so far (MCDOTRSF). The distance was 80km (so longer than I've done in awhile, but still not that bad); the elevation was mostly up for the first 40km and mostly down for the second 40km (with lots of small ups and downs in between); the weather – well, that seems to be the challenge these days on the south island, even more than the hills!

In sum, the first 20km were no problem. The second 20km were more tiring – gravel roads and increasing headwinds. The third 20kms included a good amount of cold headwind and rain, and the last 20kms included a LOT of cold headwind and rain!

The best part of the second half of the day was that in the middle of the third 20kms, I finally found a sheltered picnic table where I could stop and eat some lunch. Next to the shelter on the side of the highway was a young French couple who were cleaning out their van (don’t know why they were doing it there and in that weather, but I’m glad they were!). We chatted for awhile, and before long they were boiling tea and I was standing at the back of their van with them warming my hands on a hot cup and chatting about their upcoming trip to Cambodia. Really sweet people – I’ve been pleasantly surprised by all the cool French people I’ve met. In PP, out of all the French people there, I’ve only ever gotten to known one cool French guy! (that’s you, Maxime). ;) Maybe that will change going back! :)

So with spirits - and body temperature - lifted, I continued on towards Murchison. When I arrived it was terribly windy and rainy… like, blowing in my face, is it sleeting? windy. I stopped at the information center, which of course was closed because of lack of gov’t funding, and tried to google a good place to go. The Lazy Cow was nearby, so I went there.

At the door, I was greeted by Shane (who used to work there, and is just back visiting): “Well you sure chose a good day for this didn’t you?! Come on in and let’s get you warmed up by the fire!” A fire?! For real?!! I walked into a haven… THE warmest room I’ve been in in this country (where people where shorts in 10 degree weather and keep their windows open all day, and night). The fire was crackling. The kettle was boiling. The shower was hot. The couches were comfortable. There was no one else there, and the whole place was homey. I couldn’t have walked into a better place at that moment.

I quickly warmed up, had a glass of wine with Shane and his friend Tom, and went to bed early. I was tired but it felt good to have a good hard day’s work and a great place to be at night. God looks after me – and so do a lot of good people here!

Sorry... no pictures today! Too cold and rainy!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Today was GLORIOUS. G-L-O-R-I-O-U-S!  Here’s the run-down on my day: I slept in ‘til I woke up, made a big breakfast of scrambled eggs (first time I had an egg in weeks!), toasted raisin bread, avocado and coffee, moved over from the table to the couch, and sat on that couch for much of the remainder of the day with my book and several cups of tea and slices of the most amazing home-made pumpkin cake. I read, slept, updated my blog, read, skyped with dad, read, ate more cake, and read.

In the evening I thought I better get some food, so walked to the grocery store and then ran into Shane and Tom there who invited me for a beer and game of pool next door at the tavern, so I headed there for pool, beer and a burger, and then went back to my couch for more reading and relaxing. You just need days like this. I need more of these days than I usually allow myself – and that’s the beauty of traveling by yourself: you can do that!!

After dinner I skyped with Julie (SOOOO good to talk to you Julie!!!) and then read and went to bed.

PERFECT rest day.