Day 71 - Oxford to Coalgate

18 March

Uh oh, Karl woke with a headache this morning. It didn’t stop him getting ready for the days walk though. A couple of Panadol helped with the days start.

A clear day, with a light breeze from the south-west.

Tinky delivered us to Oxford township. A restart right outside the Fresh Choice supermarket. Gus and Addi were ready for their day at Oxford Area School, a block away. 

Before departing town we stopped at the Oxford pie shop. The Sheffield pies here are award winners. We were out to test their status. My two were venison and whiskey and steak and cheese. Karl went for a steak and cheese and the Sheffield Supreme, which included steak, bacon, onion and cheese. Mwah! What a hearty way to start the day!

Out of town and across the vast paddocks, on the other side of tall hedgerows, we noticed smoke billowing skyward. With our awareness of the dryness of the area and that fire bans had been in place, it was a worry. No one driving by on roads seemed too concerned by the growing smoke clouds. Later in the day we were to find out some permitted fires were now allowed and were a controlled burn off.

We crossed the Waimakariri River. The bridge was lumpy, pitted and a long way above the river. A truck and trailer unit crossed the one way bridge towards us. All we could do was stand sideways, hold our breaths, and let it pass by. 

Karl was starting to feeling worse as the day went on. Every rest break he was leaning back on his pack, eyes closed, and semi sleeping. My shin was tender and slightly swollen, either from a slight muscle tear or shin splint issue. We made a bid to press on from the settlement of Waddington to Coalgate. It would be 3k less than getting to Glentunnel, but given the way we were feeling… 32k for the day would be a pretty good effort.

By 6.30pm we reached the Coalgate Tavern and a couple of well deserved refreshments. Tinky arrived to collect us for another night at ‘Aroha Downs’. Karl had perked up. You could see more brightness in his eyes. 

We figured tomorrow will be a rest day.

Say no more..

Who ate the pies? 

Ponies pay as a paddock side visit.

The one way bridge across the Waimakariri.

The river flowing Christchurch direction.

A burn-off surprised us.

A separate hot spot towards Sheffield. I hope someone has the hose ready!