Day 55 Balclutha to Waihola

Walked by Mike & Rapid 40.3km 55301 steps. Walked by Ella 20km

Total distance walked 1909.4km Funds raised $16,753.88

Another fine day. Although rain threatened mid-morning and again at the end of the day it never actually happened. The blisters alas did. The blister on my left heel continues to expand and I have a tiny new blister on my left toe.

The good news is that there are just over 400km left to go.

The road out of Balclutha is a bit narrow and twisty in places. I finished up crossing the road for a few of the left hand corners as there was almost no verge and very little visibility. At one passing lane I suddenly found myself with nowhere to go as there was flax on the verge right up to the road edge. One truck came as I was getting through this bit and very nicely moved right across.

The milk tanker drivers have been very considerate ever since Alexandra so I rang up Fonterra today and expressed my thanks. I got extra toots from the tanker drivers this afternoon so clearly they appreciated it.

The donations were slow starting today. At 11am all I had was 50c I had found on the road. Things picked up when I got to Milton. I did a 3 block detour to visit Emily Hickey's school. The whole school came out. They were clapping me and the dogs but I had to ask them to stop as it upsets Ella. Many of the children had a few coins for the bucket. Raewyn Leckie met me at Clarskville to make sure I had food and then went back into Milton where she walked with me as far as the bank, and again afterwards as far as the edge of town.

A very heavy bucket was handed over at Milton branch and after a loo stop and a cup of tea it was back on the road. A group from Tokomairiro High School came out to have a chat, and a pat of the dogs.

I had intended to just walk Ella through Milton but she was so full of beans I thought I should keep her out a bit longer. She finished up walking until 3km from the end.

Tonight I am staying with the Hickey's and Ngaire and Ted are staying with the Raemon's but were fed by the Hickey's. Paul is in hospital and Sally is having to do a stock take so there was nobody home but the dogs when they went across. Fortunately I took Emily with me and she knew were to find the key.

The road outside the Hickey's place has been recently rebuilt. There is still no grass on the verge and the gravel has very sharp edges on it. The dogs ranked it torture grade - they were really unhappy for that kilometre.