Ward to Seddon/Awatere River (13.66 miles/22.00 kms)

Today was a tough day, completely different than yesterday, and that’s why it’s one day at a time. I had a good day yesterday, and a good start this morning, except I was missing the energy.

I was packed up and ready to go by 8:00, but Juliette had thrown my clothes in the drier as they were still wet, so I had to wait for them. I was nice of her to dry them, so I didn’t start until almost 9:00.

First thing in the morning I can usually tell how much energy I have, and this morning it felt like I had none! I got a comfortable good night’s sleep, ate well, and felt fine getting up.

The road started a steep uphill right out of town and I could feel myself dragging. Looking at the map to Seddon I could see there were lots of steep climbs, not what I felt like doing.

I made it a point to climb the first steep hill out of town without stopping to set my mental pace. If I stop on the first hill, it is easy for me to stop on the others.

I just couldn’t get a rhythm going as the wind started blowing right after I started and it was coming directly at me. It’s amazing how your body can act like a sail in high winds. I felt like a drunk sailor on a ship in a storm. It was a steady 10-15 mph wind, with some gust at 20 mph. If it had been blowing to my back it would have been great.

In addition to the wind, the first few miles of the road had absolutely no shoulder. Traffic was fairly busy since it’s probably Sunday’s traffic going home. I was back to stepping off the road until traffic passed. Between the steep climbs, wind, and no shoulder, it was challenging. It was such a contrast to yesterday’s trek!

By about 11:00 the direction of the road changed and the wind was more to the side, much better than right at me. Finally after noon the wind lightened up and was rather cooling. I found myself stopping much more today than I have since the first few warm days in the south.

The scenery seemed to be a real mix too, most of it mountains. Surprisingly, the hills were dry and brown and looked a lot like California in the summer. There were lots of beautiful grape vineyards that broke up the landscape.

About three miles from Seddon I came to the last and longest climb, about one and a half miles long. At that point I was like that stable horse that was anxious to get to the barn. I decided I was going to climb it without stopping, but I ran out of energy and stopped several times. Just for a laugh, when I reached the top, I cheered for myself. This climb really wasn’t as steep or long as many on this trek, it was just that I had no energy.

Once I started the downhill side a truck turned around and stopped in front of me. It was a man named Glen, and his wife Joy, who wanted to know if I was ok or needed a ride. As usual, I told him what I was doing. He politely offered me his place to stay if I needed. He lives a little north of Blenheim. They also gave me a fruit bar, the kind his ex-wife sells to Trader Joe’s back home, and two juicy sweet peaches. I don’t think I had wished for it, but I think I needed it.

After the hill it was only two miles to Seddon. I stopped at the store and got three liters of carbonated water as I had been drinking a lot today. I also stopped at the cafe and got something for dinner tonight. I had heard some unfavorable things about the motor camp in Seddon and decided since I had enough food and drinks that I’d just camp out tonight. Once past the Awatere River Bridge there were lots of open areas and I found this nice spot that is well sheltered from the wind.

I stopped about 3:30, which was early enough to have plenty of time to relax. I had two great tasting chicken pies for dinner, and now see why they are so popular here.

Tomorrow it’s about 14 miles (22 km) to Blenheim. It’s a good size town with all the facilities and I will surely stay there. Picton, my final destination, is only another 17 miles (28 kms) from Blenheim. Only 31 more miles until I have reached my goal of trekking the South Island!

I had not realized that it’s been eight days since I had a zero day, which could explain my lack of energy today. I had planned to take a zero day once I take the ferry to Wellington, the North Island, but I might take one here either in Blenheim or Picton? I’ll see how I feel tomorrow?

Time to get cozy in my sleeping bag and tent, and read my book.

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.