Day 55 - Wellington

I ended up moving my tent last night before sun down. A nasty wind storm came through, and I had to pitch my tent deep in some bushes. I’d guess gusting 70km/hr. 

I found a weta on my tent today. The first I’ve seen. Contender for the heaviest insect in the world.

Not sure what my plan is today. Just walk, there isn’t many options for places to stay. I got a hint from a friend that I may be able to camp on top of a mountain near Wellington. But for now I headed out down track open to possibilities. 

A steep climb on the hills today. 

11am photo, walking on a bike path in between towns. 

I started up a mountain track and ran into the three Americans again. They are proper fast, maybe even faster pace than me. I’ve only met a few people with a similar pace to me. I started hiking with them for the second half of the day. The three of them are American thru hike veterans, one of them a triple crowner. 

We climbed up the last mountain above Wellington. This is where I originally planned to camp, but last minute the Americans got me into their trail angels house just after the track. This was a relief because it was too windy to camp up top for the night. 

We originally went to the wrong house trying to find the trail angel, and walked into a very drunk old lady in her backyard. She didn’t seemed to be annoyed at all that we just intruded into her backyard, and was keen to hear about our walk so far. Eventually we did manage to find the actual house and I ended up at an old retired couples house, Isabelle and Nick. A lovely pair who cooked us dinner and gave us beer. I was much happier sleeping on a mattress in their basement than getting blown away on the hill. A good day, some 48km and finally walking with people my pace.