The route for Day 11: Vinegar Hill to Palmerston North.
Distance: 128km. Ascended: 1935m. Pies: 1 in Ashhurst.
Departing after camping is more complex than from home...
Tent fly & ground sheet are damp and it's cold, so I don't want to take off my warm clothes. I'm very ordered, so everything has its place. Clothes & sleeping bag & mat in the front. Camping gear & camp food in the back. All the rest in the frame bag. Jandals & coat strapped on top. Snacks & map up front.
I also need to keep everything dry if it rains. So, the process can take a while.
I also hate having to reopen a packed bag.
It's cool again but no mist. The paua from last night was clearly safe.
My route today contains a lot of gravel road. I enjoy gravel downhill, but uphill takes more work. I climb many hills today getting great views of rolling farmland before plunging into ravines.
I pass through 2 decaying towns, emptied as land use changed & systems became more efficient. Rangiwahia boasts a hall but the school is closed. Apiti has more people about and a tavern & clean public toilets.
The hill & gravel theme continues until at last I get the final 10km of flat to Ashhurst. Claim to fame is they have a good view of the wind farm.
My host tonight is a Capernwray board member, Jeff & his wife Noni. They live at the base of my first hill (300m) for tomorrow. Great to catch up, have a huge plate of good food & rehydrate.
Keep an eye on the Map Tracker daily, to see where I'm at!
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