Monday, August 22, 2011

Day 13 Maungatapu Track to Richmond


Walked today 32km by me and Rapid. 22km by Ella 52431 steps

Total walked 443km. Money raised so far $5622.27

Today the alarm went off at 4:45am. I decided that I would dress the large blisters so in the finish we were little late leaving Havelock. I couldn't get the van to move up the driveway but a little push from Alison was enough to get it going. It was really dark on Queen Charlotte Sound and the van headlights aren't the best. The traffic was really light so I managed to make up time on the drive to Maungatapu Track. We got there at 6:17pm and it was only just light enough to be able to walk - any darker and I couldn't have followed the track. By the time it was light enough to see I was above the fog on Franklins Flat. I never found Murderers Rock. Rapid however found many sticks. I have to throw them for him once and then he will keep picking up the stick and running ahead with them as long as he thinks I am trying to get the stick off him. Sooner or later I forget to express enough interest or he gets distracted by a smell. Then we start over again with the next stick. The climb up the Pelorus River side of the Maungatapu Track is steady but not steep. I'm sure I could drive up in my car. There is 1 ford on the ascent. My foot slipped on an icy rock while crossing from rock to rock but thanks to Gortex shoes my feet stayed dry.

I got to the saddle after 2 hours 3 minutes. There was a cold wind blowing up from the Nelson side but a lovely view out across the bay to Motueka and the Western Ranges.

I had Ella and Rapid off lead on all the steep bits going down as I was afraid they would pull me over. Five minutes from the saddle I came across a deer. This was the only time Ella seriously wanted to leave the track and go hunting but she was very good girl and listened. We only came across one person all the way over the track - on a steep descent about 10 minutes from the end. Rapid was convinced they were a stray an had quite a bark before I got him to shut up. We met Alison just before the ford, the jogger Rapid had barked at had helped Alison across. Alison then had to cross back over the ford again. I was able to boulder hop but Alison decided to just wade and change shoes back at the van. I arrived at the van in 4 hours so in theory was 13 minutes ahead of schedule.

By the time I had a break at the van I had used up all the spare time. Ella started out walking down the valley but after 5km it was obvious she was avoiding the gravel covered parts of the road and walking in the tyre tracks. I figured she must have sore feet so she went back in the van for a rest. I made the rest area by the camping ground a couple of minutes early but Flower from Mainland TV wanted to do an interview that will screen at 5pm on Tuesday. The Nelson Mail also did an interview and took some photos.

Karen Dunlea and Linda Mortimer and Kola where there just as I arrived to walk down the valley with me. They set a really good pace and I managed to make up about 5 of the 20 minutes I lost with the media. Ella walked from the camp to the bank. I got to Nelson branch of National Bank at about 1:30p and spent a while chatting with the customers while eating my lunch. I even persuaded one customer to take my photo. A quick visit to the back office staff and then I started off for Richmond at 2pm. Rapid and Ella (especially Ella) spent most of the time at the branch sleeping. I walked Ella into Rutherford St and then since she was tired gave her to Alison. Alison said that this was the most reluctant to get in she had ever found Ella which surprises me.

I walked to the top of the hill in Waimea Rd and then took a ride for 6km through Stoke to Saxton St with Alison so I would get to Richmond on time. I will go back and walk that tomorrow.

There was mail waiting for me at Richmond so the redirection s working.

On arrival at Karen & Brent's place their dogs were all over the place. Ella and Rapid were reluctant to leave the van. I left the door to their cages and the door to the van open. About 10 minutes later Misty and Duke were nearly climbing in the van and had given up barking so I thought they were ready to meet Ella and Rapid. Misty took a dislike to Rapid and had him upside down underneath her twice. At that point I put Rapid back in the van and Misty was shut away for a while. Rapid is till acting a little anxious but I'm sure he will come out of it now we have worked out a regime for keeping my dogs and Karen's dogs separate.

While grooming Rapid this afternoon I got asked about 100 questions by Matthew and Jason. They also seemed to be acting up a bit at dinner. I suspect tomorrow they will be more normal. There was Pav for desert so I was feeling pretty special.

I finally finished off the last of the Rangiora Jet Planes while writing tonight's blog.

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