Oturehua to Lauder 22K

When I go to bed at night, I wonder how and if I will be able to walk inthe morning. Wally tries to meet me just a K or 2 down the trail to make sure I can still walk. I start out wondering if I'll make it that far!

Yet I plodded through 22 K today! My foot feels worse than ever and I wonder if I'll walk tomorrow, but I'm getting there little by little.

Today's section is considered the loveliest and it is! The weather was hot and sunny again and I had to keep my bandana wet, around my neck, to keep cool. the Ida Valley, stretching out al around, was green, peaceful and friendly. It changed dramatically by the time I reached the Poolburn Gorge and tunnels, a drier, schist encrusted landscape, hilly and abrupt.

As usual, Wally met me with the Peapod and was a welcome sight. I had a light breakfast before heading out again, since I generally leave early and haven't eaten yet.

The bridge over the Poolburn Gorge is a work of art and I'm glad to have walked across it, to have gone through the tunnels above it and seen the gorge itself. The downhill section into Lauder, however, seemed to take forever! It was hot, dry and dusty and no amount of drinking water alleviated it. I didn't see the Peapod as I first came into Lauder and didn't think I could walk much further, but then I was Wally walking towards me and I knew all was OK.

He drove me to the pub for a pint. We sat outside in the shade of a willow tree, in a cool breeze and suddenly it was all better.