Monday 17 Dec 2018

A leisurely start to the day since the post office doesn’t open until 9:00 anyway. It has been dry most of the night and the tent had dried out beautifully. I didn’t take much from my box of goodies, most I mailed on to Mt Perry, about 9 or 10 days away.

First a little ways back towards Kabra, then a little paved road which became dirt, which was then closed off to any traffic for a distance of 5 kms or so. I understand why because it steeply descended the range (up to 21%), and I was mighty glad I was going down rather than up!

Next it became a lovely muddy track. People who know me know how ecstatic I get when meeting mud. 😜 But soon again it became an excellent dirt road and the total distance today was again only 24 kms. But with my late start (I was finished at the PO at 10:00) that was enough.

A beautiful recreation reserve with shelters, BBQ (which I won’t use), toilets, running water. Super. The care taker had thoughtfully unlocked the gate for me this morning so I could easily let myself in.

I set up my tent in the largest shelter, so no need for the fly tonight. I had a hose shower and life is good again! A rest day also seems to have done my butt pimples some good, they weren’t acting up today. Or is it the antiseptic cream from Marlborough, or the anti fungal cream that the chemist in Rocky recommended, or the Aussie Butt Cream? Who knows, but I’ll keep putting all of them on for the next little while.

Total just 24k, 2:15 riding/walking time, 250m uphill but 370m down