Day 31 Mt Hutt to Mayfield

Walked by Mike & Rapid 41.9km 57196 steps Walked by Ella 17km.

It was misty when I got up this morning and as I couldn't see stars I thought it was a cloudy day. However once we were on the road it was obviously a fine sumny day. There was a gentle breeze in the morning but it did increase in strength in the afternoon - especially around Mt Somers (which is also where Fiona & I are staying).

I was in really good form this morning and made 13km to Alford Forest cafe for the first break - this was a sit down break for a hot chocolate and sausage roll. The sausage roll was on the house - thank you Alford Forest Cafe. I then headed off towards Springburn while Fiona went shopping in Methven. The next hour and a half went OK and I stayed 35 minutes behind schedule, but I lost another 10 minutes somewhere in the next half hour - part of it having a chat with Fiona when she returned from shopping.

I would have been nearly and hour late when heading out on the afternoon walk. Fiona bought me a hokey-pokey ice cream at Mt Somers which wnet down really well even though the wind had come up.

About then I hit the wall - my feet hurt and walking was a struggle. I dawdled along and by the time I got to the final break I was 1hr 30 minutes behind. I took some more paracetamol and had a 10 minute nap. That is what I needed and I made the last 9km without losing any more time.

Rapid had a really fun day. Apart from the first 8km the verges were wide and he was mostly off lead. The first time I took the lead off he kicked his shoes off in his excited mad antics. I put them in my pack with the intention of putting them back on when he had to walk on the road again. Apart from a few short stretches that never happened.

It is Ella's turn to have sore feet so I need to be carful where I walk her tomorrow - it was quite noticeable how carefully she was walking along the footpath in Mayfield.

I'm soaking my feet at the moment and will shortly be off to Methven to hit the pubs. Fiona isn't feeling well so is off to bed.