Oxford to Rangiora (21.37 miles/34.41 kms)

I had high hopes that today would be a cooler day because yesterday was brutal at the end with the heat. The owner of the hostel had said it was suppose to be 25c (77f), but it wasn’t meant to be.

I started out at 7:30 and headed to the local cafe and it was closed, so I went to the super market again and bought some baked goods for my breakfast. I still wasn’t hungry this morning, though I know it’s important to eat to keep up my energy level.

I started out again walking into an easterly direction, right into the sun. It didn’t seem as hot, so maybe those Greek mythological weather gods were either asleep or being kind to me today. As it turned out it was neither because by 10:00 it was already close to 80 degrees. And by afternoon it was between 86 and 87 degree (31c).

When I had trekked to Canada, through the Mojave Desert, I encountered temperatures above 100 degrees (38c) and it didn’t seem as intense as the sun here. The effect of the sun is very noticeable here because just going into shade immediately makes a difference, whereas in the desert moving into the shade didn’t drastically change the heat’s intensity. I understand that it’s similar to the North and South Poles, where it is cold yet the sun is so intense it can burn you quickly.

One of the good things today was that the road was downhill most of the day. I walked through the little communities of Cus and Fernside. Cus being a cute little place with a business area no more than a block long. Several antique stores had their interesting items set out front of the shops, and I love that kind of stuff, but didn’t look as I could not take it with me anyway.

There was the Cus Hotel that looked like it had the same interesting and quirky flair as the 1876 Hotel in Oxford. It had a restaurant and bar, and had signs for pies and all those great foods worth slamming on your brakes and stopping for. Unfortunately, it was just too close to Oxford to stop or I would have stayed there.

Just like yesterday, I found myself stopping every time I saw a shady grassy spot and the closer I got to Rangiora the hotter it seemed to get. Funny, just about an hour outside of town I think those mythological weather gods felt sorry for me and brought in some cloud cover for me. They were the first clouds I had really seen all day long and they were thick and dark.

I had not really seen any place to really camp most of the day, so I just continued on. When I finally saw the city sign I was happy, no overjoyed!

The Rangiora Lodge Motel was right on the edge of town. They had one room left and I took it! There was also a motor camp just outside of town, but it was just too far from a restaurant or store, and walking more was the last thing I wanted to do. The room wasn’t bad, and it was only $67 US. Sure enough, as I was walking to my room it started to sprinkle. Thank you, but it’s a little too late!

After taking my long cool shower, and washing my clothes, I felt almost too tired to walk the two blocks to the closest restaurant, but I forced myself to go eat, as again, I wasn’t really hungry.

The Plough was another historic 1870s hotel, restaurant and bar. It had a huge dinning area and it was packed with people there and the bar. I wasn’t sure whether to seat myself or wait to be seated, something that is different than back home where you are usually always seated. I picked a table and sat down, but for nearly fifteen minutes no one came to help me. I noticed that a large group of people next to me, who were already there, had also not been served. It was 7:30, almost my bed time, so I left.

As I stepped out the door I noticed a fish and chips takeout directly across the street. It was a tiny little place. The clerk was a young woman and she seemed a little bit disorganized. The menu was hand written on a big overhead board and rather hard to read, and between that and her funny accent (sorry Kiwis, ha ha!), I finally figured out my blue cod and chips order. I gave her my credit card for the $9.50 order (great price) but the card or machine would not work. She tried several times and it still wouldn’t work. Now this is not a ploy or line, but I opened my wallet and only had $10 NZ. She gave me $.50 and I then went next door to the dairy and bought a drink, with my credit card. When I came back to get my food the young woman asked if my card had worked? I said yes. She handed me my order in a huge paper wrapped bundle (now I know it’s typical), and also handed me $10! I told her I was ok with paying cash for it, but she said not to worry about it as she can pass it along. I handed it back to her, and she gave it back to me and said it’s ok, and like they say here a lot, “no problem.” Trying to stick with my attempt at saying yes more often, I thanked her. If word of this gets out in New Zealand that I am getting free stuff and discounts, people are going to start charging me double because they think I am a freeloader! Again, of course, I am grateful to see the nice and giving side of people.

Back to my room and actually too full to even eat the whole meal. I think my body must be in survival mode because as many calories that I must be burning, I have become less hunger. At first I felt I couldn’t get enough to eat, and now I force myself to stop and snack during the day.

I usually try and write my blog that day so I remember things, but sometimes there is no cell service or WiFi, or I may be too tired to finish writing or download the photos, and I don’t get it out for a day or two. Don’t be concerned if I don’t post that day.

Today was another very challenging day that turned out well at the end. Tomorrow’s weather calls for a much cooler day, and even with a chance or rain. But the weather forecast doesn’t matter, it’s how those mythological Greek weather gods want to play with me. Ha ha! That’s all I can really do, laugh at whatever craziness happens.

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.

Celsius