South of Makikihi to Saint Andrews/Otaio River (9.44 miles/15.20 kms)

Today turned out to be a short trekking day, but it ended with a great camp spot for the night.

I had a good night’s sleep, thankfully to Murray’s suggestion that I setup my tent away from the highway as it was much quieter and peaceful. Murray had also asked me to have breakfast with them in the morning. I was all packed up by 8:00 and went to the house. Carolyn was very friendly and different than she had been that night, which is fairly typical reaction at night for people with various levels of dementia.

Both Murray and Carolyn Nichols were gracious hosts and wanted to keep feeding me. I stopped at porridge and toast with sliced tomatoes, and passed on the coffee and tea or I would have been there all morning. They offered to have me take a shower, and I would have if it was earlier. It is wonderful to think that I just stop by to ask if I could pitch my tent (Nichol’s Park as Murray calls it) and here I am in their house and they are feeding me. We said our warm goodbyes and by then it was about 9:00. I was grateful again to have met nice people.

I was surprised that the traffic was still heavy, if not heavier than yesterday. It stayed that way all day and I found it challenging at times because the narrow shoulders, and bridges without shoulders, and heavy traffic. It was a tough day.

This confirms my consideration of bypassing Christchurch by taking the alternate route after Timaru. It is much less traveled, and will added an extra day or two, but it will get me off the main highway.

It was a cold 51 degrees this morning, but the weather was good the rest of the day, being in the sixties, and prefect for trekking. Yesterday was the first day that I actually unzipped the legs on my long zip-off pants. I have not worn shorts since about the fifth day or so because it’s been so cold and windy. Today it was a little colder and wore my long pants.

Even though I had a good night’s sleep and good breakfast, I did not feel like I had a lot of energy. I think part of that was the affect of traffic. It takes a lot more effort to move onto the gravel or grass as big trucks are passing and then get back onto the asphalt, and it also slows down my rhythm.

I was in a bit of dilemma as it was about 22 miles to Timaru and I didn’t think I could make it there in one day. That would mean I’d have to stop somewhere close, and then have a very short trek the next day into Timaru. I wanted to stay in Timaru at least one night to figure out my plan so I didn’t want to trek through it.

I had just crossed a fairly long bridge over the Otaio River and stopped on the other side to take a break. I was sitting on the guard rail and noticed a gravel road behind me that appeared to go down to the river. Wow, that looks interesting, I’ll go down and see the river as I was too busy hustling across the bridge to really look at it.

The gravel road turned into a dirt path that continued through trees and bushes and came out right on the river bank. Wow, again! What a spot to camp, someplace I had been dreaming and hoping to find sometime on this trek.

It was about 2:00, the earliest I’ve stopped, but well worth it! I set up the tent and went down to the river bottom and followed it for about a quarter of a mile to the ocean. There was a huge gravel berm at the beach that blocked the river water from flowing out into the ocean. There was a large pool where the river water collected and then disappeared, probably seeping through the gravel and out to the sea. It looked like a place that would have warm water for a nice swim or bath, but it was fairly cold. I didn’t have my toiletries or towel or I would have jumped in.

Once over the berm the beach was beautiful. It was all flat pebbles and stones as far as I could see, and there wasn’t a sole in sight in the miles I could see. The water was that turquoise color of the tropics again. This camp spot was a find, not only for the spot on the river but also for the spectacular secluded beach.

I went back and got my toiletries and just took my bath right near the tent. The water was cold but it sure felt great to be out here washing my hair and body. I had been craving a shower, since I haven’t had one in two days, and to bathe in the river was even better. I sleep better too when I am clean!

Tonight I had my choice of gourmet freeze dried meals. I just grabbed one and it wasn’t bad, but I think the atmosphere of being here and listening to the sound of running water made it taste even better.

My short day was well worth it as I have had time to actually lay here and relax before and after dinner. I even have time to read my book after writing my blog. The sound of running water, cozy in my sleeping bag, and reading my good adventure book. Wow, I am grateful!

It’s going to be hard to leave tomorrow because this spot is so great, but if I stop at all the places I’ve like I’d never finish. I am sure I’ll find many more great places.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

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

Ready in 15 minutes. It’s a lot of work!