Initially I had the far-fetched ambition of getting to Wellington by Christmas; this was because I will be taking a break from walking and going home for Christmas (I promised!) and it seemed logical to finish up with the North Island by then if at all possible. It's quite clear now that this is not going to be possible if I continue to walk the whole way (which at this stage I am not willing to reconsider), so my new plan is just to catch a bus to Wellington from wherever I am on the trail just before Christmas to catch my flight.
The ony other significant deadline is finishing the trail before winter makes it potentially too difficult--the recommendation is to be off-trail by the end of April at the latest. Trouble is my Christmas break will actually be a six-week break that won't see me picking up from where I left off on the trail until the second week of February (I have a wedding to help prepare and attend--yay!). Fact is there are more important things in life than the trail, but I've always liked to have my cake be eat it too, and so I would really love to be able to complete Te Araroa, if not as one continuous thru-hike, then at least all within the same summer season. The way to increase my odds of doing this is to try and get as much done before Christmas as possible. Consequently I sat in the motel room this morning feeling exceedingly conflicted about whether or not I can afford to have a day off today. So I did what any person does when they have a problem and needs someone to talk to about it (should add: and who gets on well with their parents!)--I called my Mum.
She too is concerned about me having enough time to finish the trail, but also like me she is concerned about me rushing and either missing out on thigs along the way, or burning out. We looked at my 'schedule' and decided I could probably make up the day within the next week if I wanted. Done. Looking back I was probably stressing out over nothing (which I'm sure Mum sensed), which only goes to show I'm tired and not thinking straight. Another post-decision point for the pro-Rest Day team.
Determined to to least make the most use out of the day I could (with as little physical effort as possible) I went through all my kit and made a list of what needed replacing, as well as what (and how much!) food I needed to buy for the next leg of the journey. Strict shopping list in hand I headed out around lunchtime to shop: picking up a new pair of socks, a role of gauze plaster, and six days worth of food--in addition to another plate of sushi of lunch, a bag of bagel crisps for afternoon tea and a loaf of San Franscisco sourdough bread, some smoked salmon, hummus and cream cheese for dinner tonight. Apparently I'm craving the carbs today.
I saw a pair of TA hikers in Torpedo 7 while I was buying the socks; they were fresh from the trail and intent on getting some essential kit so understandably were not keen to stop and chat to someone fresh from the shower and dawdling through their day.
Back at the motel I watched TV (junk!) and almost without realising it ate the entire packet of bagel crisps. My stomach realised though, and after cramming that in on top of sushi it decided enough was enough...and so I lost my inch for the third time this trip. Honestly, when will I learn?!
Happily by dinner time my stomach had settled and happily welcomed half the sourdough loaf topped with the cream cheese and salmon. I also spent the afternoon putting the kettle through it's paces and drinking the condiments tray out of tea. Come bed time I flopped down again and watched 'Call The Midwife' (somehow, though I've never watched it before, I've managed to catch the last three sequential episodes this trip), followed by whatever movie happened to be on ('Get Him To The Greek'...not something you ever want to watch Mum). I should have packed down the trail food (= remove all non-essential packaging and pierce pasta packets to remove excess air and save space), but I couldn't be bothered. I promised myself to get up a little earlier tomorrow and do it before hitting the trail once more.
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