Blenheim (Zero Day)

Woke up this morning undecided about continuing my trek, and looked out the window to the dark sky, and the wind was already blowing so hard I could see the trees bending. The forecast was for high winds, with gust up to 40 mph, and the winds being stronger near Picton, so I decided to take a zero day.

I have to say that I sometimes struggle with taking a zero day because I feel that I could go another 15-20 plus miles that day. I am not in a hurry, but once I start, it just becomes a routine day after day to trek no matter what, and I forget how many days I have been going without a break, and I have to consciously remind myself of that.

I went back to sleep for another two hours and it was the first time in nine days that I slept late. The rest of the morning was just laying around, and doing some planning for the next few days, and my possible start on the North Island.

I walked a block to get lunch and then in the evening I went through the nice section of downtown Blenheim to attended a nice Al Anon meeting at the Salvation Army Building.

On the way into town I found a nice little Indonesian food trailer with some great dishes. I was born in Indonesia, before living in the Netherlands, and then moving to the States, and I grew up eating Indonesian food. I have to say it wasn’t like my Mom’s, but it was pretty good! Who would say someone else’s cooking is better than their mom’s anyway?!

For me, of course, it was fun to tell the owner were I was born and hear his story too. It’s interesting that Indonesia is one of the most populous countries in the world, yet you don’t find to many Indonesian restaurants in the States, or here. People love Chinese and Thai food, but I think Indonesian is better! Of course!

The newer downtown area of Blenheim surprised me because it’s a block off the main highway and I wouldn’t have known it was there. It was very nice looking with all the shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and old hotels. But what also was surprising to me was that everything was closed by 5:00. It was like a ghost town walking through there a little before six. It reminded me of back home when I was a kid and every business was closed at 5:00, and on Sundays. It was nice to see that part of town anyway.

I had a chance to share a little of my story at the meeting and I was thanked for it by many people there. I had walked to the meeting and was offered, and took, a ride back to the motor camp by one of the nice persons at the meeting. I figured it was after my trekking hours anyway, and it didn’t count against my trekking mileage, Ha ha!

I got back fairly early and have been considering what to do tomorrow? The weather forecast calls for rain, heavy at times, and high winds, with gusts up to 40 mph, again. If it was just trekking in the rain it would be fine, but on a busy, possibly narrow road, and with high winds, it changes that. Picton is only 16-18 miles and could normally be a easy trek, but not under those conditions. After only having taken five zero days until now, the thought of taking two zero days, one day near the end, bothers me a little. But as I said, and I have to remind myself, I am not in a hurry, so I’ll consider my options in the morning, after a good night’s sleep.

Best wishes to all,

Ted