Uninspiring and flat

February 23

Methven to Harper Campsite

KM 2236

Distance: 22km 

Elevation: flat

Steps: 31,000

Time: 8:15am - 2:00pm

We set out this morning by getting a ride with the owner of the Methven Camping Site, who drove us up not only to the true start of the track, but another 7km onward, saving us just a little bit more road walking. Not that today was anything but roadwalking, but it was still at least an hour saved off of our journey. 

It wasn't just the two of us in the vehicle either - we have continued our tramily (is it a trail family? or a tramping family? who knows!) with Linsey, having thoroughly enjoyed our time together over the last section, and really appreciated the moral support we all needed to get through that last river reach. Nigel was also a possible until the very last minute, but he had to make the hard choice to go into Christchurch to deal with some Real World chores and duties for a few days. I have no doubt we will run across him again, given the way the Trail brings people together over and over :)

 

Our 2 day stay in Methven coincided with a pop-up covid vaccination clinic which meant we were able to get our booster shot! The clinic was held at the Methven Rugby Club clubrooms so while we waited we checked out the memorabilia collection. Given the increasing number of cases throughout the country we feel more than a little relieved that we are now at a lower risk of contracting it and sufferring ill effects, and a lower risk of passing it on. However, it means we're both suffering a little bit from side effects of the vaccine. Mostly, this is showing in the fact that Vaughan cannot raise his left arm higher than the horizontal, and Eliza cannot raise her right arm (guess which arm each of us got our shots in), due to the muscle soreness.

Eliza, further, seems to be getting just a little bit of the achy-muscles and light-cold-or-flu-symptoms. Not too badly, but just enough to feel it, and feel a bit off. Vaughan also has a bit of niggly symptoms that cannot be put down entirely to a day of walking.

Despite that, all three of us must have been feeling our oats this morning, because once we hit the ground walking, we were flying! In the first 2 hours we traversed 10km, which even on a good road is quite the pace, especially considering that we are all carrying food for 11 days - HEAVY packs. 

We also got to experience a quintissential Rural New Zealand moment, walking behind, then through, a flock of sheep being moved up the road to the next paddock. Only one of the three working dogs in the truck escorting the sheep had been allowed out to herd them; that dog was in hog heaven, the other two were nearly desparate in their desire to get out and help!

Roadwalking is a necessity in some areas the TA passes through because there are no suitable tracks. Consequently these sections can be uninspiring especially if its a busy road. However, this road took us past several stunning high country lakes that are home to Crested Grebe and other species of bird who hide out here, as there are not too many people that make their way to these lakes. We did see a couple of fishermen, and a woman exploring the lake in a kayak, but none of this seemed to bother the birds the way a motorboat would, for example.

It was around the two hour mark that we took a rest break for a snack, and some switch must have flipped because we all slowed right down. The next 12km took us four hours - nearly half the pace of the early morning! 

This time did also include lunch, which was at a beautiful spot at one of the forementioned lakes, but we were definitely slower on our feet. I guess the pack weight was starting to take its toll on us.

Whatever the reason, by the time we arrived at the (again, uninspiring) campsite in the early afternoon, we were all ready for packs down, tents up, and even a nap!

In fact, as soon as we got the tent set up, Vaughan made us each a cup of soup, and then Eliza passed out for about 3 hours.  Vaughan also took a nap, but he also went for a walk to a nearby lake in the time that Eliza was sleeping. For reference, while Vaughan loves an afternoon nap, they are a once-in-a-blue-moon phenomenon for Eliza.

Vaughan continued to brave the warmth-stealing wind, which he is only thankful for as it keeps the sandflies away, to make dinner; but like Linsey we are spending the evening in the tent as much as possible.

Tomorrow we are heading up along a river for an apparently quite nice cabin, but we all have a good sleep ahead of us first.  

One final note, as we write this in our tent . . . the sandflies are eagerly  crawling over it searching for a way in. They can sense that a tasty bloodmeal is tantalisingly close. Last night it was mosquitos we were fending off.