Amberley (Zero Day)

After settling in last night, and realizing how I have been feeling the last few days, I made the decision to take a Zero Day today. The two days of heat is what topped it off, and I really wanted to take that day somewhere I could relax, eat easily, and get supplies, and Amberley was perfect. Also, the forecast was for rain last night and today, and it started raining after I got here and continued into the late morning. It felt good to stay in bed as I heard the rain coming down this morning.

I spent the day basically laying around and not doing anything but relaxing. I walked over to the store and got more supplies, and I got a hair cut. This time it was a barber from England, as the last time the barber was from Sri Lanka. The barber from Sri Lanka mostly used scissors, and the one from England only used an electric razor. Which one was better? Both were different, but I still prefer my barber, Chris, back home.

This is my Day 35, and this is only the fifth day I have not trekked. I have trekked 455.37 miles (733.28 kms) since I started, averaging about 15.17 miles (24.44 kms) a day. This includes the distance I trekked every day and does not include the distance I walked on the Zero Days.

I calculated the distance from Invercargill to here strictly by way of Highway 1 and that would only have been approximately 372 miles (599 kms). Taking the alternate routes has added approximately 83.37 miles (134.25 kms), or about an additional five to six days of trekking.

Originally I had calculated my trek based mainly on those miles along Highway 1. Taking the alternate route has throw off my intended time line when I thought I’d finish the South Island and start the North Island. I had figured that the alternate route would have only taken two or three days longer. However, if I had the choice again, I would pick the alternate route that I took. I got to see some great and beautiful things, and met some wonderful people.

There is no real alternate route to my final destination on the South Island, and that is Picton. There I’ll take the ferry to Wellington, which is at the bottom of the North Island.

Tomorrow I may trek to Greta Valley, which is about 20 miles. I am still undecided as it is suppose to rain in the morning and then later in the afternoon. I don’t want to look for a camp spot if it is raining, so I will get some type of accommodations. There is a motor camp there but all the cabins are full. I called and found that the Grate Valley Restaurant, Bar and Motel, has a room available as an option. I will play it by ear and see how it looks tomorrow.

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.