Day 76: Bulls to Feilding (16km; 1450km total)

Another good sleep--I officially love my Downmat. I'm less fond of the constant truck traffic that never abated all night, going to and fro along the highway a stone's throw away (ok, a stones throw for someone with a good arm). There wasn't a dew overnight, nor rain, so it was a treat to have a dry fly to pack up this morning. I was up and away before Tom but we chatted briefly while he had breakfast and I filled my water bottles. He reminded me that there's a section of trail south of Palmerston North that is only open on weekends due to logging operations. I resolved to check this out once I got to Aevryl and Kenny's this afternoon--I don't want to show up at the forest and have to camp out at the gate for a day!

Setting off I somehow managed to find a gap in the traffic and scoot across the road to the pedestrian walkway over the bridge. Once across I had to wait rather longer for a gap big enough to get back across the road to take the first side road which mercifully heads off into farmland and is little used except by the odd car. This morning is a case of zig and zag, taking a left to follow one straight road for a few kilometres (and passing the airforce base band rooms), before taking a right to follow another straight road for a similar distance, then another left, and another right (at the junction next to the airforce communications building, with satellite dishes protected by barbed wire fences, and aerials being grazed around by sheep). Things then get shaken up a bit by taking a second right before soon taking a left. It was along this stretch a kind old man in a can stopped to ask if I had plenty of water. Certainly I was hot but I set out prepared and assured him I had plenty.

Thankfully that last left puts you on Sandon Rd which the trail follows all the way into Feilding. It even shakes things up a bit by adding the odd bendy bit. I'm being a but harsh really; the day's walk is easy and passes through golden yellow pasture land that seems to have been carved out of an ancient plain to leave remnants of a flat-topped terrace incised by variably narrow-broad valleys. Such is my impression of the Manawatu.

I would have enjoyed the walk even more if my feet didn't hurt so bad, my right foot in particular. I had to stop barely 2km out from Aevryl and Kenny's (but in a shady spot) to massage my feet into walking the remaining distance. I'm concerned now that there aren't even knots to massage out (since I've been doing this so much) but my right foot still hurts. I'm conscious of the fact that Philippe reported on Facebook shortly after completing the Tararuas that he had been diagnosed with a fracture metatarsal from repeated stress on his feet. I hope I'm not on the way to doing the same!

1km out from A&K's a familiar white station wagon appeared round the corner and my sister stopped to offer to take my pack. I politely declined--I'm doing this pack and all...besides, my hydration bladder is easier to carry in the pack! Soon enough, on the outskirts of town I recognised the now familiar gate and hobbled up the drive, arousing numerous barks from Ellie. After saying hello and a quick catch up on the Piggy situation (turns out she'd escaped from the neighbouring high school farm and the manager showed up yesterday with a few kids in tow to wrestle Piggy into a crate and take her home) Aevryl went off to work and I stumbled into the shower. 16km is a short walking day but I honestly don't know if I could have managed much more. All this road walking is playing havoc with my feet! The right one in particular. I think it's because, in addition to the repetitive flat-footed walking motion on hard tarseal, the camber of the road and walking facing the traffic most of the time means my right foot is also acting as a bit of a brake in a sideways direction to keep me and my pack upright. All in all it's proving a bit much for my poor right foot to handle. If I do need to burn a day to wait for the actively logged section of trail to be accessible then maybe I should go see the doctor, just to check in not going to do any real damage if I keep walking...?

Ken was at work and Marj had eaten so I made myself a sandwich from leftovers in the fridge, put a load of washing on again and dove into another Georgette Heyer. I managed to get my clothes dry in time to go with everyone to Fiona and Phil's for a BBQ dinner. It was a lovely evening, topped off by Fiona giving me some Anica cream which helped ease the pain in my right foot to the point where I could walk to the car without hobbling on the way home!