South of Clinton to Clinton (13.5 miles/21.74 kms)

When I first woke this morning I thought it was still night because it was so dark. The inside of the tent and everything inside seemed damp. I poked my head out the tent and everything looked wet from the rain and it was also very foggy. Wow, what a swing in the climate.

I packed everything up and had to use a micro fleece towel to wipe down the outside of the tent. A day or two and a wet tent could start to mold.

I started out around eight and the fog was so thick that at first I couldn’t see more than 50 to 100 feet in front of me. I have a flashing red bicycle light that I had mounted to the handle of the Wheelie and I made it a point to turn it on. Fortunately I was walking and facing into the sun, and the drivers had the sun to their backs, and therefore I was easier to see.

I actually enjoyed the cool weather and fog, and shortly I was able to see far enough ahead that the fog didn’t bother me. Traffic was fairly light and I could usually hear the traffic before I could see it.

Good things don’t seem to last long, and within a couple of hours the sun came out full blast. The temperature topped at about 87 degrees at one point today, and it was challenging. The sun seems so much more intense than even in hotter weather back home. I was told that was because the southern tip of the South Island gets more intense sun due to angle of the earth this time of year. Makes sense.

Today it was all up and down the rolling hills. Beautiful scenery but exhausting uphills since I am still not in great condition pulling the 75 pound plus Wheelie.

My other issue today, and a big one, was the lack of water. I had about 16 oz left last night, so I didn’t make my oatmeal again this morning and just had a protein bar. The bars are great for an afternoon energy boost but they get old really quick. I sparingly drank a swallow full of water to take my multitude (9) of vitamins. They almost got stuck in my throat.

By noon I had finished the water and I started to day dream about a 1.5 liter of sugary soda, which I don’t usually drink. Then I was picturing a gallon of ice cold orange juice, anything! I was at a crawl and stopping every mile or less, or whenever I saw shade. I know I am not in the Shara Desert, but I might as well have been. It seemed that every farmhouse was a half mile or more off of the road, and I didn’t want to walk any further than I had to, and then find no one home.

Let me see, what drink do I hate the most? Sunny Delight. But, I’ll take than now! Anything! Ok, my next thought was, what about all these cars driving by that were honking and waving at me? They most certainly must be carrying something to drink, especially those motorhomes. So, about two and a half miles to Clinton I started waving my blue insulated water bottle, upside down, at passing cars. No response, other than weird looks! And then the motorhomes seemed the worse! They moved over into the other lane!

So where were all those friendly Kiwis? I had to stop and think about it. What would I do if I saw a man pulling a cart, looking crazed, and waving a blue whatever at me? I’d keep driving too! And then those motorhomes tourists, they are probably foreigners that come from places where no one is friendly. Maybe even some French people?

So, finally I saw a farm house not too far from the road, but still well over a quarter mile up a steep, hot, dusty, gravel driveway. If no one is home I’ll just find a hose and use my water filter. Well, as it turned out there were two women there. The owner, had a two week old baby in her arms. Water? Sure, come on in stranger, just don’t rob us and steal my baby. That’s what someone in the States might think, but not these wonderful friendly Kiwis. Help yourself to our filtered kitchen water tap and there’s ice in the freezer too. Help yourself.

Thanking them profusely, I left with full bottles of water and ice. It was two miles to Clinton and I was much better but still struggling because I had absolutely no energy. I think partly because I hadn’t had anything to eat other than two protein bars.

I had found the only motel in Clinton and had called the night before and reserved a room. The motel was right in the center of the tiny town. When I got there about three no one was at the motel, restaurant, bar, and bottle shop until four! I wanted my room and cold shower. The sign on the door clearly states open 4 to 9 pm on Tuesday.

The only other place in town to get something to eat or drink was the dairy. It’s a mini mart, ice cream shop, and take out, all in one. So, I had a banana, a liter of orange juice, and a double scoop ice cream cone. Ahhh!

At four I went to my motel, Oak Tree Inn, and it was open. I couldn’t be upset because the owner was so darn nice I wanted to choke him! The price was actually reasonable at $43 US, which was shocking considering how much things are here compared to the States. It wasn’t fancy but very clean. I had a great dinner here too and it was fresh snapper.

I did notice that everyone here were men. All had on shorts and some had sandals. Not that shorts and sandals in itself are strange, but they all had tan lines on their ankles. Again, not that tan lines are weird, but they were all truck drivers! Apparently this motel caters to truck drivers, but why did they all have tan lines on their calfs. Do they hang their legs out the widows as they drive? I thought it was their arms? Even funnier, I had on my Crocs and I have really dark tan lines on my calfs from trekking. I guess I just fit right in.

Tomorrow I may try to make it to Balclutha, which unfortunately is 18 miles. It is also suppose to rain. I might also stay one more day to get myself back into trekking condition by resting one day and eating better. Besides, I look like I belong here with my leg tan lines.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Please excuse the typos, spelling, grammar, etc., as I am typing this on my phone.

1950s?