Lake Waihola to Mosgiel (18.3 miles/29.46 kms)

What a different day today! It turned out to be like roller coaster ride all day. Maybe more like a good book, with a good beginning, and interesting and so so stuff in the middle, and then a good ending.

I could tell this morning that I might need another zero day because I just wanted to lay in bed and veg, and maybe read my book. I started out around 8:00 and went to the Black Swan Cafe across the street to have breakfast. I ordered my food and randomly picked a table near the window, and right in front of me on the wall was the serenity prayer on a big poster. I immediately took it as a positive sign because it’s one of my prayers when I am going through a challenging time, and it’s one I learned through Al Anon. I always start and end my days with prayer and meditation.

I also got a sandwich and drinks, as keeping that food fuel up has given me so much more energy.

The morning was fairly cool and the forecast actually called for rain by 1:00, but it never rained. By noon it was in the eighties and hot. The thick dark clouds would roll in and cool it down, and then they would disappear and the temperature would shoot up again. The weather was like a roller coaster.

Traffic was already fairly busy when I started and it got progressively busier as the day went on. This is probably because I am so close to Dunedin now.

I was surprised at how many logging trucks there were on the road today and they seemed the least courteous of all the traffic. Most of the other trucks would move over as far as they could, or even move into the other lane when they could.

I came to a long bridge with very little shoulder and I stopped and contemplate how I would cross it. I could see a little ahead and just waited for traffic to let up and made a dash for it. There was just enough space on the edge that my wheels touched the curb and the other was right on the white line. Several cars entered the bridge and I basically stopped, but all of the cars slowed down and moved way over. Everyone but a logging truck! He didn’t move over one inch and came so very close to me, even though there was no other car coming in the opposite direction. My first thought was to give him the bird and blindly call him a jerk, but I thought back to the serenity prayer on the wall.

My first thought was to remember to write what jerks the logging truck drivers where, when suddenly another logging truck entered the bridge. Here goes again! But funny, this truck slowed down to 25-30 mph (40 kph), turned on his flashers, and moved into both lanes. His idea was to slow down traffic for me until I crossed the bridge! I obviously am wrong about stereotyping all logging truck drivers because most are probably courteous and it’s just those few that give them the bad reputation.

For most of the morning I was really in a rhythm and enjoying the walk. But after 1:00 I started struggling with the heat and found myself stopping a lot whenever I could find shade. I had plenty to drink, and I think it was just the change from cool to hot with the changing cloud cover.

Around 3:30, and spent, I realized that I had to get to the Moegiel post office before 5:00 to pick up my knife Brian and Shirley had sent me. I was still four miles away and I wasn’t moving as fast as earlier. About 3.5 miles outside of Mosgiel I moved on to an alternate side road. Wow, was I so glad I did. I don’t think I would have made it in time if I had stayed on the main road because sometimes I would stop as big trucks went by.

Once I turned onto the side roads it was like heaven. The roads were fairly flat and I only saw 4-5 cars in either direction. Once I hit the main business road through Mosgiel I still had at least another mile to the post office. Along the road there were several motels, all with no vacancy signs! Oh no!

I got to the post office about 4:45, and just in the nick of time. After I got my package I asked the clerk if the temperature was fairly normal for this time of the year, and she said yes. But a woman (Amy), who was packaging something at a table, said something else (?). I noticed that she said it with a nice smile, but then again so many people I’ve met have been so friendly.

I was relieved that I finally got my knife, but finding a place was a huge concern since it’s a good size town and no place to camp. I went into the foyer area, sat on a window ledge, and began looking for a place to stay on my phone. I have to admit that by now I was tired, a little (a lot) frazzled, and not thinking very clearly.

Just then Amy came out and said something to me. It must have been because she noticed the frazzled look on my face? Her name was Amy Scott, who is a motivational speaker and lives here in Mosgiel. I explained what I was doing and she sat next to me and began searching for motels too. I called several, some that I had passed, and no one in town had any vacancies! No one had any recommendations. There was possibly one, but it was further out of town and there was no phone number we could find. However, Amy offered to drive me there but I didn’t want to be further away. She said she’d drive me to Dunedin but she was going south to Invercargill for a lecture tomorrow.

Then I remember there was a motorcamp in Mosgiel, but it didn’t have any cabins. I decided to call them and asked if I could camp there and they said yes, but bring cash because we don’t take credit cards. I don’t have much New Zealand money because I have been using my credit card for everything, so jokingly I asked the lady if I could use my American money. Obviously, she said no. Then Amy pulled out and handed me $50 bill! I said no, but she insisted. I told her I was not a poor man and I could pay for it, but she presented it as a gift from someone that obviously wanted to give from her heart. I told her my vow, as some may remember, but it was to yes to things people offer me on my treks because it’s a way of showing my appreciation of their kindness. So, she shoved the bill under my leg, and I accepted it. Thank you Amy for your kindness!

I still question my acceptance, but I think it would be no different than me refusing the NZ jade or food, or hospitality. I have met many kind and wonderful people in just the short time I’ve been here, and all those acts of kindness is what I’ll always remember and treasure.

I walked another half mile or so to the Mosgiel Caravan Park. It is all trailers and a few campers, and I am the only tent camper here. The hostess told me just to pitch my tent anywhere on the grass and I found a nice shady spot along the walking path. I had a good hot shower and feel 100% better.

So with a good start, and a somewhat tough day, it turned out with a great story book ending for the day!

Tomorrow I may not go far, and I might even contemplate that zero day to recharge my batteries. I am in no hurry and will take one day at a time. Whatever tomorrow brings will all be part of an exciting and wonderful experience.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

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