Started
at 6:15 at dawn to be in time for low tide at 7:50 and also to walk State Highway 1 with
less traffic. There was already a lot of traffic on the Highway and it
terrified me when walking on the shoulder. Most of the section I would walk
today was sealed road, where cars passing by me at a terrific speed, and many
dead animal and birds on the path. Moreover, walking on a sealed road could
hurt my knees and feet, dogs of residences and farms bark loud at me, etc, etc... not fun. Watched out for cars very
carefully not to be knocked down like possums.
In Drewa, made a little detour
to visit parents of my friend Darren. They greeted me warmly and gave me some
toasts. Went to Macpac shop in a shopping centre in Silverdate and talked with
shop staff about my broken walking pole. He was pleased to swap both of poles
with brand new ones with no charges, saying "These walking poles come in
pairs" - what a good surprise!
Arrived at a campsite at Stillwater at
16:30. The facility was a bit shabby, but The manager Peter Buckley was a very
warm person - he kindly instructed how to cross the river tomorrow and gave me
good tips walking TA. In addition, he did not charge me, saying "I want to
support people working hard to achieve their big goals". Wow, it was
second good surprise today. So far, many people support me and push my back to
carry on. Walked 32km today.
途中のドレワでは少し回り道をして、友人ダレンの両親を表敬訪問。楽しく歓迎してくれトーストをご馳走に。その次はシルバーデートのショッピグセンターにあるマックパックのお店を訪ね、ここ数日困っていたトレッキング・ストックの故障の件を話したところ、何と壊れていない一本も含め2本共新品と交換してくれた。「この杖は2本でセットだから」とか。ビックリだ。
今夜の宿泊地スティルウォーターのキャンプ場には16:30頃着。ちょっと古びた施設だったが、マネージャーのピーター・バックリーさんがとても温かい人柄で、親切に明日の川の渡渉の仕方や、TAのコースのアドバイスをしてくれた上「大きな目標を掲げて頑張っている人達を応援したいから」と言って、自分の宿泊費を免除してくれたのには今日2度目のビックリだった。これまでのところ、本当に多くの人達に助けられて歩かせてもらっている。本日の歩行32km。