Mitch Wiseman

10th December Random breakfast is sardines in toast, not forgetting tea as well. I sort my van out and cook up some pasta and quick noodles and no with tuna ready for my evening meal as the campsite I am headed to does not have a kitchen. I left about 10 and initially planned to have walk, but I am a bit wary of another hypo, so ending up getting my chair out and reading my book whilst overlooking the beach. I head towards my final campground and read a bit more, make a cuppa, have a snooze. Generally take it easy and watch the world go around. In between all if that busyness I managed to cram everything into my rucksack, and put an outfit to one side to travel home in. I have crackers, ... read more

8th December No idea what time I woke up. Tea and egg sandwich for breakfast. Away from the site by 9.30 ish, set sat nav for a place called Thames, with a view of find a walk an route. Just before I got to Thames I saw a sign for Kauaeranga Valley, so ignored sat nav and followed the signs. I was also long for a cafe as I need caffeine, but I was soon out in the sticks and realized there was no chance of a cafe, all my hopes pinned on the visitor centre. No cafe at the visitor centre. Oh no! I had a look around all the maps and the walks were all pretty serious, any thing from 6 to 7 hrs to 4 or 5 days. I was seriously out of ... read more

6th December I got up latish and snoozed with van door open, listening the birds. I decided I was staying another night I decided as I no particular place to go. I eventually ventured into the kitchen, the Americans were still there! To be fair they were less obnoxious now that they were not drinking wine. I showered, dressed and walked over to reception to pay for another night. Most campsites I have been too have a book exchange, so I asked whether they had one, as I am almost finished that damned book. No book exchange in the campsite but there is one I Cambridge town centre in an old red telephone box. There it is I have a plan for later, to walk into town. I got back to my van, and did a ... read more

4th December I awoke to rain and thunder and lightning, so there goes that planned morning beach walk. I gathered all my stuff, meds, breakfast things, change of clothes, shoes stuff and head for the amenity block. In this weather I was determined to only get once. I found my self a quieter corner in the dining room to sort myself out. The teenagers were already up and creating mayhem in the kitchen. I am not sure I can cope with that many teenagers this early in the morning. I braved the kitchen and made tea, toast and cereal and settled in for breakfast. More tea, might be awake after more tea. The rain was still heavy, I braved the kitchen again to wash up, grabbed a shower and got dressed. Whilst I was getting dressed ... read more

2nd December I wake up about 6.30 just as the sun is starting to rise. I pop to the loo, open the van doors and climb back under the duvet for another hour or so. I could get used to waking up to the rising Sun, the morning chorus and the sound of the water lapping on the waterfront. It is going to be SOOO hard when I have to go back to work. Eventually, my stomach tells me it us time for breakfast, so I make tea and toast and generally watch the world go by for another hour or so. I also had a stab at another painting; still not fit for public display I afraid. Time to make a decision, stay or go, given that it is almost 10 and I have to ... read more