Sunday 25 September 2016

I crashed and went to sleep way too early for most last night. Anna reckons I was asleep by 8pm and she struggled to get to sleep, eventually dropping off late in the night, only to wake up numerous times. I woke up too, but only to listen to the torrential rain on the roof. It's rather nice to be feeling warm when you’re snug in your sleeping bag! We also got buffeted about by wind gusts that came and went with the rain storms. A crazy night for sure but, as well you all know, traditionally the first day of the clocks springing forward always is a little crazy.

Today raced by so quickly that, before we knew it, we were glancing at our watches and going “Cripes, is that the time already!" It started with poor Anna stirring a little later this morning, so I was well-behaved and sat quietly reading a book. Once she got up, we ate breakfast and I watched with interest as a local flew his drone nearby in the park. All I could think of was “What if it loses contact with the controls he’s holding then just drops out of the sky into the foaming ocean beneath us?” But that didn’t happen and after a while he left with the drone tucked under his arm.

We headed to the information centre to learn about local walks and soon we were off to tackle the York Loop Track, wearing our wet weather shoes (our trusty crocs and Tevas). As we sloshed through numerous streams and puddles, once again we had to agree that we did indeed have the correct footwear on, as boots would have been water-logged and our running shoes/trainers ruined in minutes. It was a beautiful trail with lots of boardwalks along the creek and a swing-bridge crossing, which is always so much fun. The Egmont National Reserve has some wonderful bush and, if only it had been warmer, it would have kind of felt like we were walking in a tropical rain forest. It was charming and a fun little hike, perhaps not very challenging at all, but nevertheless great for us both to get out and enjoy this first longer Sunday.

After the hike we had a well-deserved stop for lunch next to a lovely, well-groomed Stratford park, with even more trails and tracks. But we had other plans and, as already mentioned, the day was running away from us. We both felt like swimming, so went to the local pools in Hawera where we spent some time just doing lengths, the only problem being that we had hired swimming goggles and they tend to leak unless, of course, you have them on very tightly. That may seem like a relatively small issue as once you get underway swimming it’s okay but, when you are trying to prise them off your face afterwards, it hurts more than a little and you’re left with horrendous goggle marks round your puffy eyes!! However, the swimming made my day. Water therapy is, quite simply, the best.

I realise it’s later than I thought. Cuzzie’s dashboard clock is proving harder to change than I thought, so at 4pm I realise it’s actually 5pm!! Oh well, not much else to do now. The local campsite is next door to the pools, so we do a quick loop round then book in and hook up to power for the night. As I checked in, I met up and chatted with a lovely lady, Bernie, who also works supporting families through mental health illness. We could have talked all night! Yet again, I come across someone doing amazing things in their local community for a cause about which I believe so passionately, having total respect for everyone and anyone helping deal with mental health.

Another plus for being away from the coast is to have good internet and cell phone coverage. We both need to get things done and it gets a little tiresome having to stand on the top of Cuzzie trying to get coverage! Honestly, it requires a whole new level of patience to get the Internet stuff done each night I can tell you. It’s a typical Sunday-type dinner tonight, roasted veggies with roast chicken and I’m so looking forward to it. I have to smile today as another week is due to start and I’m still going round in small circles in Taranaki. Another location I’m getting to know really well! But there is a glimmer of hope; maybe later this week. Mother Nature, please can I make it to New Plymouth this month?

My smiles today:
Unlike myself, daylight saving has arrived.
Swimming pools. Balm for the soul.
Walking on and in the watery trails.
Waterfalls and swing-bridges.
Feeling just downright happy.
Sunday roasted veggies. Yum!

My thoughts today:
Two of the hardest tests in life:
-The patience to wait for the right moment, and
-The courage to accept whatever you encounter.

Goodnight from Red and Anna. Ma Te Wa.

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