The section I am walking now lies between Rakaia and Rangitoto rivers which are too large to walk across. In order to cross these rivers, need to hitch a ride to the bridge where a dozens of kms downstream. Wanted to arrive at a good hitchhiking point beside the road as early as possible because the road is very quiet.
Got up early at 5:30 and left the hut at 7:00 in the dark. Luckily the overnight rain has stopped and blue sky was above me but northwesters was still strong. Cold at the beginning, and got warmer when the sun rose from the mountains at 8:30. Was a long way to go today, but most of the way will be flat and easy including walking on the road.
When walking on the road, the owner of Castle Ridge Station passed by and said to me "You are walking very late in the season! Do not walk across Rangitata river as it is high now!". Walked towards west most of the day, getting my cap blown by the head winds several times. Wasted 30 minutes going on a wrong way once, arrived at a carpark at Potts river bridge after 14:30.
When changing my wet shoes to sandals, a car passing by gave me a ride luckily. The driver, Matthew from Hawkes Bay of the North Island, was living in Ashburton temporarily because of his work. So kindly he changed his plan and took me to Geraldine after having a talk with me. Arrived at Geraldine at 16:00. Said to Matthew to call me in if he comes to Queenstown and gave him my card.
Stayed at a backpackers called Rawhiti House at outskirt of town at $36. Was a very clean place with kind service. Occupied a shared room for 4 by myself and had a comfy evening. Went to bed at 23:30. Walked 7.5 hours, 33km.
現在歩いている区間はラカイア川とランギトト川に挟まれた場所で、どちらも大河で基本渡渉はできないので、対岸へ渡るためにはヒッチハイクして何十kmも下流にある橋を通らねばならない。交通量の少ない道でヒッチハイクの確率を上げるため、少しでも早く道路に到達したかったので、5:30に起き、まだ薄暗い7:00に出発した。
幸い昨夜の雨は止み、予報通りの青空が広がっているが、北西の風は相変わらず強い、初めは寒かったが8:30に山の端から日が昇るとすぐに暖かくなった。今日は距離は長いが平坦で歩きやすい道が多く、一部には車道部分もあったりして道程は捗る。その車道区間を歩いている時、付近のカースル・リッジ牧場の所有者さんが車で通りかかり「君は随分時期遅れに歩いているんだな！ランギタタ川は水位が高くなっているから渡るんじゃないよ！」と注意してくれた。
今日は西へ向かって歩くことが多く、強風を正面から受けて何度も帽子を吹き飛ばされながら進む。一度道を間違え30分程ロスしたが、14:30過ぎにはポッツ川橋のたもとの駐車場に着けた。濡れた靴を脱いでサンダルに履き替えていると車が来て、すぐに乗せてくれたのでとてもついている。北島ホークスベイのマシューという人で、仕事の関係で一時的にアシュバートンに住んでいるらしい。自分の話を聞いてわざわざ行き先を変更し、ジェラルディンまで乗せて行ってくれたので16:00頃には到着。クイーンズタウンに来る機会があればぜひ寄っていくようにと名刺を渡した。
町外れにあるラフィティ・ハウスというバッパーに$36で投宿。とても清潔で親切な宿で、4人部屋の相部屋に客は自分一人。快適な夜を過ごす。23:30就寝。本日の歩行7.5時間、33km。
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