Wellington, New Zealand
Moa and me.
Kiwi and me.
I have been a bit amiss in writing my blog since I landed in New Zealand. Been busy! Been recuperating! Been socializing! Been relaxing. Been sightseeing. Been Xmas shopping, just a wee bit. Been reading books of local celebs. Been learning the mass transit system. Been doing laundry. Been collecting camping gear (since I arrived with little). Been learning the lay of the land. Been making reservations. Been meeting new people. Been hosted. Been roasted. Been hiking. Been biking (not much).
And I haven't left Wellington yet:)
After 4 fun filled days with Moa and Prue, eating wonderful food, running errands for equipment, joining holiday parties, and touring the local countryside...I moved over to Kiwi and Alison's house nearby. And again, great food, holiday parties, and tours of the countryside. It's been most fun catching up with Kiwi and Moa, reminiscing days on the PCT and hearing about the things they're doing now. And then to meet their wives was just wonderful. Two of the most delightful women you'd ever want to know. These guys done good:) I've never felt more at home and welcome...like part of the family. Thank you, Prue and Alison for all you two have done to make me feel comfortable and not a burden (even if I have been:))
Prue.
Kiwi and Alison.
They have this unbelievable native preserve that a friend of Alison's (that I met the other night) took me to. Zealandia. There was a natural area of regrowth with native plants around 2 dams and a decision was made to fence it in and remove all predators, like possums and mice and feral cats. And they've done it. And the bird population all over Wellington has dramatically increased. And we're not talking about a small area...over 500 acres!
Wellington is the cutest city. It's in a bowl that faces the sea, of course. And the roads are steep...so are people's driveways. It's not a town for cyclist unless you love hills. The houses are all different designs, built into the hillside, with lots of windows! Some are old and some are new and I love them all.
And, for all those friends who think I'm weird for leaving my front door open with no screen door...it's common practice here. I just live in the wrong place!
And the city is vibrant and clean and a joy to walk through. Mass transit by bus or train. Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand is free! The modern buildings and walkways and gathering places near the water are all beautifully and interesting,y designed. A small city. Easy to get to and then get around with parks all around. I can see why people love this place.
Christmas Day
Christmas here is a day ahead of the US so that seemed a bit odd. After a quiet morning at "home" that always passes too quickly, Moa picked me up to join him and his family in their Christmas afternoon: picnic at the botanical gardens including improvised cricket, resting back at the house on the hottest Christmas since 1934...90*!, and then a scrumptious dinner of roast lamb and pork and ham. Yum! We had Christmas Crackers...and you don't eat them!...exchanged trinket gifts that were fun to play with...and had a cherry spitting contest! Quite the day of fun with a wonderfully loving family. Really a treat for me! Thanks to all for a merry Christmas!
Boxing Day. December 26th
Last day in Wellington for a month. Tidied up the Craig's house, packed up Blaze, called my daughters to wish them a Merry Christmas, and pedaled over to Moa and Prue's for a last afternoon and meal before launching off to the South Island. I felt so at home there, like part of the family. And I feel truly recuperated and prepared for this journey. Got my camping gear, guides, maps, food, and new hi viz pannier covers! Doing good!
I'm on the ferry right now and it's a foggy rainy night. Sure hope my return crossing is on a clear sunny day so I can enjoy the views. Not so tonight. Might as well catch a bit of shut eye. Tonight I land at and hope to camp right in town at a park.
I've had to prepare myself to be "self-contained" for freedom camping here, as they call it. No waste deposited. Scoop the poop. We do it for dogs, why not for humans. That's the plan, not to be disgusting. Hope I impress any officials who might stop me. Another rule is helmets required. Have to say I'm a bit frustrated by that one. And only for one reason: heat. Always an issue. And most heat is released through the top of the head. And I notice the challenge of staying cool wearing this darn thing. I don't think most people appreciate how awful it feels to be firing hot flashes. I feel sick. My cheeks burn. I want to rip my clothes off. It's awful. And doing anything to lower my body temperature feels like life or death. So that's why when I'm already warm and I'm exerting creating heat and the helmet is holding heat in my head and when I lift it I feel a touch of cool, then I want to rip it off. Can you understand just a bit better the dilemma I'm in? Just a bit. It's not a minor issue. It's major!
G'day
Kathryn
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BagLady
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