Gremlin's Tall Stories

Finally... an alarm that sounds after the sun has risen and the birds have started chirping. Set the alarm for about 0830 if I remember rightly, but we probably only got up around 9am. Finally able to take our sweet time getting ready, we did just that, away from the accommodation around 11am.

Toto was once again doing the long route to Picton (such is the luxury of not having to work), so... fingers crossed, he was going to make it to Picton. In reality, he would probably make it fine, and Picton being just fractionally smaller than Christchurch, I doubted it would take him long to find the Backpackers (and he had already been there anyway).

Sorted out the client, wrote up the first report, and received a txt from Toto informing me he was in Arthur's Pass, enjoying pancakes for lunch. Left Christchurch around 3pm, at least refreshed for another boring ride to Picton. Before this trip, I had never done the route between Blenheim and Kaikoura. Now, I was doing this route for the 2nd time in 4 days... There are some good parts, but mostly its pretty damn boring. Oh for the time to do a longer route.

The "highlight" of the trip was encountering a stock truck dumping a steady stream of effluent down the middle of the road. A blue MX5 in front of me certainly didn't seem to impressed with this, and we both passed it as quickly as possible (with as little shit being slung in my direction as possible). By the time I had reached Domett, I was cold and tired, the sun had disappeared, and instead of making do, I decided to stop to don thermal top and rain jacket. Trying to keep my helmet on because my ears hurt like hell from the constant use of earplugs... I failed miserably. Polo tops don't stretch over helmets

In the workout that could also be described as wriggling into more gear, I was again passed by the shit-spewing truck. Oh yay. The roads leading to the offending truck smelt of shit (funnily enough) and time was spent trying to keep my tyres out of the trucks line, which seemed to vary from corner to corner. I caught up to the truck just before the Kaikoura coast, and in the slow vehicle bay, I was able to motion him to pull over. The useful chat went as follows:

Me: Do you know you're dumping your stock effluent all over the road?
Truck: Yep
Me: Do you know its illegal?
Truck: No, its not.
Me: Well, it is. (at this point, I'm reasonably certain, as I think I've read a post on KB... so it must be true )
Truck: No, it ain't.

This was obviously going far places in a short space of time, so I shrugged, walked back off the road, noted his rego, and motioned for him to carry on. I must follow this up, and see what the ruling is, as its dangerous, disgusting, and I'm sure there are rules about unloading on the public roads. Unfortunately, not a cop was seen all the way to Picton, otherwise, I would have stopped to find out an answer.

Passed the truck shortly after, the road smelt better and I didn't have to dodge shit any more. The rest of the trip to Picton passed without incident.

Sure enough, checking into Tombstone Backpackers, Mr Toto was nowhere to be seen. This was expected and I settled in to wait. I heard his arrival a good 30-60 seconds before sighting him, enabling me to walk out from the room to the driveway (on the opposite side of the complex) and motion him to his park (which was kindly provided under cover, at the front door, by the owners).

This time, he approved of the accommodation, complimented the scalding temperature of the shower and while he was showering and settling, I set off to rustle up some grub (having missed any proper lunch). I found it in the form of DA Restaurant, an expensive pizza, but damn tasty, and the largest I have set eyes on (pic attached for proof). I timed the walk back to the backpackers... two pizza slices long.

Toto was still in the shower, claiming they had been occupied, so I kindly left him a couple of slices (he did say he didn't want anything, but knowing him, he would never pass up pizza). I then showered and on the way out of the room, I told him there was a thread on KB about him Found him in front of the computer and retrieved the key. I didn't make it out of the room as I ended up interrupting a couple of girls (american and israeli) in their discussion about where to exercise and ended talking with them until 0030, about everything ranging from travelling NZ and good backpackers, to Israel's 6 day war.

Toto (the actual single male) joined us only shortly, took no advantage and retrieved the key. Realising the time, goodnights were made, as we were up horribly early again (self inflicted punishment).