New Zealand 

I have begun walking New Zealand from Slope Point, the most southern point in the country 

Thanks to my great friend Brian Railton  for great crew support in the semi-remote area of Catlins region of South New Zealand. Previously, he won several national titles as a power boat racer and even represented his country in a world championship event in China.

 

He was also a great help when I finished off the country in February 2013 on my world run when I finished in Bluff.

Today he dropped me at the start and commuted me back to his home in Windred that he shares with Rose, his wife. I was delighted when he said that he would do the same again tomorrow.

After a couple of weeks off the road I was a bit stiff and lethargic. There was even a road closure at the area where I wanted to begin. We managed to bluff our way in by claiming to be local residents asking for local access. A sign pointed out 4803 kilometres to The South Pole; a bit too cold for me, I will leave that to my mate Richard Donovan who's burning dream is to run across the white continent.

Another sign suggested a more leisurely 5,140 kilometres to the Equator. As always my route will be a lot longer for I never seem to take the shortest route across a continent. I have been warned to watch out for strong winds coming from the south for it can be freezing cold, all the way from Antarctica and weather can change dramatically. That day it was overcast but the temperature soon picked up to around 27C and became pretty hot and humid. After 15 kilometres I had totalled 18,500 kilometres of my world walk. Tomorrow will be road day 500.

I walked past small man-made lagoons. One man told us that it was dug out while a gold mine was in operation in the 1800's. Further on up the road I heard about a passenger ship which was sunk when it hit a reef in the dark. In those days roads were not in existence and people travelled by coastal shipping routes. Towards the end of that century roads were built. I passed by a concrete horse trough where a sign said:  Circa 1890 the concrete horse trough was situated by the roadside allowing the  horse teams a welcome drink when they had completed the climb up Cemetery Hill.The trip down the hill, however was often more perilous. It is known that the brakes failed at least once on the Waikawa-Fortrose coach on the downhill journey. 

I walked on further and when we arrived at a lovely cafe called the Niagara Falls, Brian stuck my head and arms inside a set of stocks. Later, he said that he should have left me there instead of releasing me on his country people! 

Inside the cafe we got a warm welcome from the owner, Susan Thompson who treated me to a delicious lamb burger and piping-hot  chips. Thanks so much Susan

I walked another half hour and eventually finished my first day in New Zealand with 27 clicks.

Next day, once again Brian Railton provided his services and gave me a great days crewing. We had many laughs while I strode out 26 kilometres as far as Lake Wilkie with a minimal breaks in a little over a half days walking. On the way I walked past some lush green fields full of grazing cows and sheep and even a few curious horses and small wodden houses. Signs that told poachers to piss off, and small rolling hills that rolled beneath my eager feet like an asphalt  treadmill talking me on an epic journey of discovery. To walk is to wonder, to come alive. Not only do I see the world, I immerse myself within my world at its best. I try not to worry too much about the past or my future destiny, days like that day I lived in the moment. I say to anyone who is considering a long journey to find a way to do it, surely life's great shame is to not even make an effort to try. 

Earlier, I met a school bus driver who takes his job seriously. He loves his job but spoke of the need to be well rested each night. "For driving a school bus is not like driving a truck where a tired driver can pull over and have a snooze. 

"It doesn't happen to me very often. If I was tired, I would just stop and check the tyre pressure."

  That evening I enjoyed a huge steak in Big Willys Sports Bar & Grill with my hosts  Brian and Rose and some of their family members. We went out to celebrate Roses birthday and even cooked out own steaks on an indoor barbecue grill.

The restaurant bar and hotel is part of the 'Invercargill licencing trust' project. Prices are more affordable here than in other establishments. I guess it's a kind of bases on a socialist model as profits have been pumped back into the region for the past 70 years. Small sporting arenas and stadiums have built as a direct result of the trust project.

Later we checked out one of Brian speedboats called Otherwise Fine as he has a race coming up soon. 

  Next day I took a rest day and went around town with Brian as he promised a couple of people that he would mow their lawns and gardens. We continued to have a laugh and he expensed sorrow at me moving on in the morning. "Its my birthday soon and if you stayed for it you would age me ten years!