Day 37 Twizel to Omarama

Walked today by Mike and Rapid 29.8km. 42746 steps. Walked by Ella about 100m to a cafe and back.

Today was supposed to be as far as Dunstan Downs at the foot of the Lindis Pass but the Twizel Cancer Society volunteers asked me to come along to there launch of Relay for Life which will be held in Twizel for the first time in March 2012.

High Country Lodge in Twizel gave us 2 nights for less than the normal cost of one night. As the National Bank in Twizel was just across the road from the lodge Fiona did not need to drive me to the start. I was planning to walk Ella only 2 or 3 km today but when I went to get the dogs out to start she said firmly that she was staying put. Rapid wore some of the new boots Fiona made which are fabric with a stitched on leather sole. He seems to find them more comfortable that the Grip Tex shoes.

It was raining when we started. It ceased briefly as I left Twizel but when it started again it was a little heavier. Also I had changed direction and the wind which was moderately strong now blew the rain into my face. It continued to rain for the next 2.5 hours. Shortly after the road turned and the rain was no longer in my face it stopped. By the time I got to Omarama it was quite hot. However the forecast is for snow tonight on the Lindis Pass and mybe at Dunstan Downs.

At about 18km a herd of cows started following across their paddock as happens very often. I was rather surprised when at the end of the paddock they were able to continue following me through the open gate into the next paddock, and then the next one. Then came the really unexpected. The road gate was open and the cows - now ahead of me went out onto the road. Just as I was ringing the police to get the problem dealt with the farmer arrived. He was rather grumpy and I think blamed Rapid - rather than his own stupidity in leaving the gate open.

There are signs for Omarama businesses 8km out of town. It makes you feel close then you work out that it will take about 1hr 40min to get there.

There was a tour coach outside one of the cafes in Omarama so I parked Rapid outside the door and did a sucessful collection. Once I got to the middle of Omarama I had time to grab and ice cream and a sandwich before heading back to Twizel for the Relay for Life launch. This had been shifted from a tent into Hunters Cafe. Ella and Rapid were left outside but Ella very quickly got inside and stayed there. Rapid joined her just as I was packing up to leave.

We got to Dunstan Downs just before 4pm while the owner was doing the manager was doing the school run. She arrived back about 10 minutes later and very kindly waived the accommodation charges. It was nice to have a leisurely afternoon.

Afere dinner (and my turn to do the dishes for once) I headed into Omarama to visit the pub to write my blog. There was a text from Ngaire to ring her. She had a fall in Auckland before leaving for Queenstown and broke her shoulder. She is now in plaster but has still come. NGaire and Ted are spending a few days at Makarora before joining me in Wanaka. Some change of arrangements for the Wanaka-Queenstown section when we were planning to have 2 vehicles may be necessary.