It was around 7 by the time we set off on our walk.
Our motel is next to the bridge on the left, located right on a busy intersection with the railway tracks right behind us. The Maccas across the road is open 24 hours a day. The sound insulation is about as good as the heat insulation. When trucks or trains go by, the whole building shakes like in an earthquake. On the plus side it’s very handy to everything. Plus, the owner rolled over my booking twice when I had to postpone our stay due to the weather changing our plans. I want to give the place a good review solely for that reason but the heat and noise are giving me pause. Dilemma!
We did a two hour loop following the Ongarue River to where it merged with the Whanganui River and then up river to the right on the map. The water levels were uncomfortably high for me so I felt better about not canoeing the river this week. The lady in the art store had told us today that the river had been very slow to go back to normal.
It was a lovely walk, but very warm even so late in the evening. I had to unzip the legs from my trousers (thanks Kathmandu!). This week some places in Australia have reached late 40s. I think the high here today was 27. I bet some Australians would think I don’t know I’m born. So much for the lucky country!
The riverside walk was actually fenced off from the water most of the way, with the banks high and unstable and the river itself unpredictable. Such a shame but it was very beautiful nonetheless.
Once we got to the bottom right of the map it was time to loop back through town and get some dinner. In the end, since it was coming up to 9 pm, we just ate in at Maccas. It’s been decades since I had a fillet o fish but they haven’t changed. A quick canasta lesson for Samantha, during which she trounced me in the first game she’s ever played, and then it was time for bed. I should sleep well if it cools down and no trucks or trains go past.