Mandy's backyard where I pitched tent last night had a stage and she
holds a music festival that accommodates 3,000 people in the summer season. $10
for camping including use of shower and toilet. According to the forecast, it
will be heavy rain at night today. Thought about staying at Warkworth nearby,
but there was no budget accommodation there for some reason. Expecting to camp
at paddock of a farmhouse somewhere, decided to carry on until the rain comes.
First 12km was a
steep uphill with ups and downs that made me sweat again and took me 5 hours.
Emptied all water I had. Had a cuppa with a cake at a cafe at the foot of the
mountain, and filled my drink bottle. Pet rooster at the cafe was friendly.
From this point trail followed a sealed road, so changed boots to sandals. Saw
a road closure sign after a shot walk. Asked a lorry driver just passed by - he
said there was a landslide recently and road is OK to go through on foot. Soon
the sky got very dark and it became rainy at 16:00. A local man with a dog
passed by so asked him if he knows someone who would allow me to pitch a tent
in paddock. The man said come to my place!
He kept goats as hobby and upstairs
of the barn was refurbished nicely as a fully self-contained guest
accommodation. If staying in a caravan using kitchen and shower of the guest
room costs only $20. As it turned to torrential rain, took the offer with
appreciation. The hosts were Swiss couple who showed me milking goats for
home-made cheese. A newborn kid was so cute. An unexpected comfy relaxed stormy
night - so much appreciated a good fortune. Walked 22km today.
昨日テントを張ったのはマンディさんの裏庭で、何と屋外ステージがあり、夏には3,000人規模の音楽祭も催すとか。キャンプ場、トイレ、シャワーの利用で$10。今日の天気予報では夜にかけ大雨になるらしく、近隣の町ウォークワースヘ避難することも考えたが、なぜか安宿がないらしい。そこでまたどこかの農家の庭先にでもテントを張らせてもらうことにし、雨が降り出すまで歩き続けることにする。
初めの12kmはアップダウンがきつい山道でまた大汗をかき5時間もかかった。水を飲みきってしまたので、麓にあったカフェでケーキと紅茶を頼み、水筒に水を入れてもらう。ペットの雄鶏が人懐こかった。
そこから先は道路のようなのでサンダルに履き替え少し行くと、何と道路閉鎖の看板。タイミングよく通りかかったトラックの運転手に聞くと、歩いてなら通れるとのこと。崖崩れが起きたようだ。そうこうする間に空が真っ暗になってきて4時頃ついに雨に。ちょうど通りかかった犬の散歩中の地元男性に、この辺でテントを張らせてくれる農家がないか尋ねると、うちへ来いと言ってくれた！
趣味で買っているヤギ小屋の二階を改装して来客が泊まれるようになっており、設備が整った台所やシャワーを自由に使えて、キャラバンカー宿泊だと$20だという格安さ。折よく雨も土砂降りになってきたのでそのまま泊まらせてもらうことにした。家主はスイス人の夫婦で、ヤギの乳搾りの様子も見学。自分たち用にチーズを作るらしい。生まれたばかりの赤ちゃんヤギが可愛い。思いもよらなかった快適でくつろげる嵐の夜となり、幸運に感謝。本日の歩行22km。
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