Day 23 | Cosy Corner Beach: and cosy indeed with the rain coming down

91 km | zzOz total: 1,148 km

It will be a relief to start to head north east as the general direction when I escape Albany.

That’s away from the coast, and, I hope, away from the coastal weather. The 4 big cold fronts in the last 3 weeks is perhaps just what you might expect at this time of the year, mid-winter, but away from the coast you trade the wet for colder nights, and no doubt, condensation.

On the other hand the current gale force south west, err, wet, winds would power me north in a hurry. Can’t have everything.

This morning’s non-descript weather forecast had me hopeful, showers, and the first 3 sun showers didn’t seem too much of an issue, there’s plenty of vegetation to shelter under, but as the day wore on it turned to intermittent non-showery periods, less often. Shower 9: lunch under a huge tree overlooked by a few startled roos. Shower 11 was waited out in Denmark, 10 minutes, but after that, I had my head down towards that free official campsite at Cosy Corner Beach, and, after all, I am from the South Island of NZ. That’s not rain.

Shower 14: yes, that’s rain.

The key to surviving travel of this type, ie, on a bike and staying in a tent, is to keep the inner sanctum of the tent dry, as well as the sleeping bag and mat, the clothes used for sleeping, all wool and including long johns and socks. If the fly is wet keep it away from contaminating the rest.

So far, so good but I do need a few days washing and drying. Normally the emphasis would be on drying but on this occasion the washing component needs High Priority.

Oh, there’s Albany tomorrow and then as long as it takes.

Wow, the rain is really coming down now I’m snug in the tent, with some thunder and lightning close at hand.

Impressive.