I let myself sleep in till 7 am. Still early but I wanted to get up. So I started packing everything except my tent because I was staying another night. You might wonder why even pack at all because not carrying a pack would feel like cheating.
The others were packing up as well, but as they got a ride to town, it would be a solo hike.
I left at 9, but after 500m I saw Gordon and chatted for a wee bit. After another 500m, I saw Grant enjoying a coffee. I couldn’t resist the offer to join him. He got in this morning with only 13km it didn’t take him long.
I was most curious about Sandro but he had stuck to a short day and was feeling much better. In the meantime, Gordon came and joined us because he would meet up with Colin here. And indeed Colin joined us later.
With everyone having a different plan, it will be unlikely that we will meet again in this setting and although I don’t know them very well, Concurring 90mile beach creates a bond. In essence, I feel that sharing hardship removes all differences and everyone is just simply another human being instead of an old woman or a young bloke. Something I rarely experience outside of thru-hiking.
After Colin finished two slices of pie, we said goodbye to Grant and headed off with the three of us. Colin counting and recording birds as a part-time job, constructed a 24-page Health and Safety document. So he had both front and back high-visibility items. He told me bird names but they meant very little to me. I’d never heard of them and so with the given name, my mind was still blank. But I enjoyed trying to spot birds as well and with that the road walk was definitely not as terrible.
In town we separated. They went to get lunch and I to resupply. Even though I made half a shopping list I didn’t check it and thus I forgot a few items that are unconventional, like a lighter. But I’ll make it. After resupplying I went to a Fish and Hunting store and to my surprise they had waterproofing spray for tents.
I got a ride back into town and the Indian restaurant wasn’t open yet, so I got Subway instead. Definitely my second choice.
After a hitch back, I started the process of waterproofing my tent. Also some laundry and chatting with new hikers who came from the beach. And I even saw Sandro who enjoyed the hike but was probably going to stop to enjoy New Zealand summer with friends instead.
I went to bed on time but couldn’t sleep. After a midnight snack at 1 am, I finally fell asleep.
Zilla-in-the-wild 