Tuesday 22 November 2016
On my early morning run on the surf beach, I watch three keen surfers hit the waves for a pre-breakfast session. Wow, what a way to start their day! Then it’s a quick, cold shower for me. Jeez, if I wasn’t completely awake during the run, then I damn well am now! Bianca and I sit in the sun, sheltering from the wind, and have a long leisurely breakfast. We chat about the next leg of my coastal paddle and I try to get her up to speed with the various systems (VHF, satellite messaging, etc).
After that team lesson, lucky Bianca heads off for another day in and on the Raglan waves; day 2 of surf lessons for her. But, before she heads off, we stop in at the cutest little Raglan shop, a tiny place, where the bread is amazing (or so Bianca assures me). Then, sadly for me, I have to spend the day having Cuzzie fitted with new front tyres. For this, I have to drive into Hamilton (Frankton) then wait while the new tyres are fitted, balanced and the alignment done. Thanks to the helpful and generous team at Bridgestone who made it as painless as possible for my pocket.
Then it was off to grab some food for the empty fridge and back to Raglan. No time for me today to sit around in the sun, or rest and watch surfers, or go for a hike. I tried telling myself that it was a blessing to have noticed the badly-worn tyres, even if it didn’t help my wallet. But a monetary blow-out is doubtless a whole lot better than one of the other kind and at least they are now fixed!
Tonight I have stuff to get done, brownies to cook and gear and equipment to recheck; it always being best to do rechecking of gear before heading out on another paddle, which I very much hope to do if Mother Nature stays true to her forecasts. But, as we all know, anything can happen over the next twenty-four hours. I have to say that I am also blessed to have the continued support of so many people and thank those who are one hundred per cent behind this journey and myself. If it weren’t for them, and for continuing financial help, it would have been an even tougher challenge each day. Anything anyone has donated, either in cash or in kind, has really helped, so thanks once again from the bottom of my heart.
My entire day today was all about Cuzzie. A day when, quite literally, we probably managed to stop her wheels from falling off!! But she needs and deserves some TLC for, without her on this journey, I would be nothing. Now, as the day draws to a close, it’s time for a quiet beach walk followed by a big yummy dinner and perhaps a little chat to Mother Nature, to ask her to be nice.
My smiles today:
Surfing pre-breakfast looked like fun.
Raglan, you have to smile.
Chatting to our camper-van neighbours.
I feel a paddling day approaching.
Cold showers, I’m used to them but that doesn’t mean I have to like them!
Cooking my famous brownies on the BBQ?!
My thoughts today:
The first place we lose the battle is in our own thinking. We have to change our way of thinking; we need to see every obstacle and each limitation as only temporary setbacks.
Goodnight from Red, Bianca and newly-wheeled Cuzzie.
Ma Te Wa.
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