Day 62 - shed

Motimuru Whare —-> Ian & Frank’s hut 15km

I continued on through the logging forest until the comforting gravel track ran out and I entered a denser, darker forest full of mud. It soon started raining and although I was protected somewhat by the trees, the mud only got muddier as I trudged along.

I crossed several streams which allowed me to wash the mud off my shoes but the water was freezing, now my socks as well as my shoes were soaked.

I’ve made a habit of trying to take photos when things go wrong, mainly just so I remember. I was caught in this bramble bush for about ten minutes trying to detangle myself without ripping my hair out.

By lunchtime the rain was really coming down. I stumbled upon a picnic bench and sat whilst I wolfed down a soggy wrap before I was too cold to sit any longer.

I raced along the final kms of the day, almost running in places to try and keep warm. I was at Ian & Frank’s hut before 3pm.

Hut is a bit of an over-statement for this one. Tin shed is probably more accurate. Just as cold inside as it was outside, but fortunately, infinitely dryer.

I wrung everything out as best as I could and hung it up in the freezing shed, I wasn’t expecting any of it to dry but at least it wouldn’t get any wetter.

I’d gone the whole day again today without seeing or speaking to another person. Feeling a little sorry for myself, I made a hot chocolate, and tucked up cozily in my sleeping bag, put on an audiobook to distract me from the sounds of emptiness in the shed. It really helped, and by 8pm with a belly full after dinner I settled into a deep sleep.