Day 50 Mataura to Invercargill

Walked today by Mike & Rapid 47.5km 58925 stpes. Walked by Ella approx 17km.

Total distance walked 1739km - less than 600 still to go. Funds raised $14,853.62

A disgustingly early start. The alarm went off at 5am. After breakfast and packing up we were on the road at 5:30am to drive from Waipahi to 3km out of Mataura where the walking started. Dave Roe and his partner Kerry were waiting for us. Dave walked with me the whole day.

We were off on time at 6:30am. Rapid managed to lose a shoe in the first kilometre. As it was dark still I did try and look for it but asked Ngaire to look once it was light. I neglected to tell here he had lost the sock as well - mainly because they usually come off together. So we have now lost a second one of Rapid's tiny socks.

Ella was really enjoying her walk and didn't want to go in the van after an hour. I let her walk another half hour before she went in the van. The first 16km were on gravel road (apart from 500m). Dave and I were able to set a really good pace for the first 14km but the remaining 2km of gravel were deeper and slowed us down a little.

After 2 hours we were 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Even with stops we managed to retain the 20 minute buffer until mid afternoon when the Southland Times did an interview and took photos. As with yesterday I was pain free - the toes were mostly OK today too. I stopped taking paracetamol but I am still taking ibuprofen as I think it will help with the knees and hips that are feeling the strain of having walked so far.

Ella walked another 5km at 11am and again once we got to the end of the 100km area at the edge of Invercargill.

The only times I had the dogs on lead today was crossing the Waihopai River and once into central Invercargill. Ella has now learned about keeping to the edge of the road just as Rapid has.

It was good to be able to have hot food at the Woodlands Store - it is mainly a butchers shop but sells a variety of other stuff. Dave walking with me made the walking easy. Even along the road from Longbush we were doing a kilometer in 10 minutes and a few seconds. I thought we had slowed dwn because of the head wind but the times showed other wise.

Ted escorted us across the Waihopai River. About 500m later the Southland Times arrived to do an interview and to take photographs. They asked us me to walk back about 50m and then come forward so they could take photos. Rapid was very diffident about walking backwards with me. I have told him off so many times about going backwards after rubbish he was pretty certain it wasn't allowed.

Kerry joined Dave and I at the start of the 50km area. Ngaire joined shortly afterwards. Up to then the only donation was from a mate of Dave's who drove past. Once we got to the shops we split up and managed to collect a good amount. I also got 3 chocolates from a cafe in Spey St.

Invercargill branch had put on drinks and nibbles and we had a chat about the walk until about 5:30. Dave had asked me to prepare something to say but it finished up being just a question and answer session which I think was better. The dogs got their share of the nibbles and were very happy.

We are staying tonight and tomorrow with John & Diane Stevenson in Invercargill. The food has been great and I even managed a bath before dinner.

I am bit worried about Rapid's feet. He has big bare patches. I think I will try him in bare feet for the next few days. I also have the shoes Fiona made if he gets trouble. They wear out in day but they don't pluck hair.