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Published: December 3rd 2018
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3rd December
I woke up about 6.30, and opened the doors and snoozed. Only one problem it started to rain and my sheet got a bit damp, I did not notice it until I packed the van up.
I made my self at home in the kitchen, charged my phone, switched on the TV. Breakfast was, tea, toast a cereal.
I got dressed sorted the van out and picked up my phone and stuff from the freezer and fridge on the way out.
Today I already have a plan, I am headed to Raglan, I already had it in mind as it on the coast, a couple of people I spoke to yesterday also recommended it. One of them asked whether I would go cross country on the dirt road. No I said as I was not I sure, they had been on it the day before and said it was in surprisingly good condition after the winter.
I set sat nav to Raglan, the journey back up the road I travelled yesterday did not seem so bad, probably because it was dry. Hoorah! Sat nav tried to send me down a gravel track but I
ignored her and carried on lovely tarmac roads, no rollercoasters, no sheer drops. The drive was positively relaxing compared to some of the drives on this trip. I religiously followed Sat nav and she carried on sending me along tarmac roads. Until........suddenly the tarmac ran out and I was on a dirt road.
Bugger!
That was not part of the plan. I am not insured for gravel roads, but I would have to double back and head to the nearest big town. Sod it! If I am careful, they will never no. I drop down to 3rd gear and about 30kph. Oh no the rollercoaster had begun. All was well until I made the mistake of looking to my left, there was a sheer drop and those cow’s seemed am awful long way down. The gravel roads have a he’ll of a camber on them as well, I carry on regardless, as suddenly as it disappeared the tarmac reappeared. Phew! I had survived.
I felt in need of coffee. No shops until I reach Raglan. I park up and grab coffee and a chocolate muffin. I like the look of Raglan, I do a bit of retail therapy including a little food shop and I ask about a campsite. I am booked in the campsite by 12.40. I find my pitch, look at the facilities head back to my van and the heavens open as I get stuff ready for lunch.
So I retreat to the dining room with cheese and crackers and a cuppa. Still rain g, make another cuppa and do my blog. The rain looks as though it is set in. Sod it. I get my boots on and walk into town in the rain. There are loads of galleries and gift shops. I do some more Christmas shopping.
The rain eases off and I loose the coat I have a look around the museum and a walk along the river and head back to the van.
When I get back to the van and do a stock take of things I have bought. Hmm. Not enough boy stuff.
I then have another attempt at painting. Still not good enough for public display. The peace and quiet is spoilt by two mini buses full of teenagers. They are so loud.
I feed the sparrows whilst looking through leaflets. More of that later. I have a plan for tomorrow and the day after. There is an arboretum about 40 minutes away, there are some gardens in Hamilton another 30 minutes away. The day after I plan to go to Sanctuary Mountain and there is a guided walk which starts at 10.30am.
I make potato salad and pork chops for tea. When I get back to my van about half a dozen sparrows flew out my van. That serves me right for feeding them. Luckily only one left me a present.
Raining again, so head inside to charge my phone and write my blog. The rain eases off, so I take the opportunity to make up my bed and have walk to the beach, it is high tide and getting dark so I will take a proper walk in the morning before I leave. I climb in to bed and surprise, surprise it is raining again.
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