Epilogue – the next day
My falling onto the bed last night hadn’t included getting into the sleeping bag. At some hour I woke and managed to climb in.
Breakfast (my usual back home – yogurt) and coffee (instant) were consumed at a leisurely pace, then I entered the bathroom. First to go was the beard (sadly it was a mix of dark and grey, making me look just like I hadn’t shaved in over a week, rather than the ‘designer beard’ look I had hoped for). Manky clothing safely sealed into a plastic bag, it was into the shower. The water at the bottom of the shower tray was a grey colour....
Refreshed and into clean clothes (none of them bike ones), I decided to head to town to drop the SPOT tracker off at the pre-arranged Bike Store, grab a second breakfast, a dose of email at an internet cafe (also to read the KB site) and find something for my girls. Couldn’t be bothered walking, so it was back onto the bike again..... actually didn’t feel that bad – even without wearing bike shorts. Quick spin back to Auckland anyone?
A lap of the town (mainly assessing breakfast options), before settling on the proper place – an awesome looking cafe that had a neat outdoor seating area just over the road from Seymour Square.
Entering the cafe, I scanned the menu. Bacon & Eggs in various forms – nup, we’re still not friends. Continental options – nup, could have fixed that at the Motel by adding cornflakes to my yogurt. Then I spied it on the lunch menu (it was 10am). Fish & Chips – YES!
Coffee in hand, I sat outside looking at Seymour Square, a silly smile still on my face. There were a few other diners also taking advantage of the sun & view. The food arrived – a large plate of fish & chips, salad & sauce. YES! Think I might have been a bit loud in my ‘Ohh, you beaut!’ when the plate landed in front of me – most of the other diners started laughing.... No matter though, food consumed at emergency speed (there were some looks of disbelief). The second coffee and large slice of chocolate brownie were a slightly more leisurely conclusion to the meal.
Fed and happy, internet & shopping done, I stopped at Seymour Square for a final look around – offering a quick prayer of thanks in the process. I’d be back – I just knew I would.
Back at the Motel, the owners allowed me to use their hose and gave me cleaning rags for my (somewhat dirty) bike. I was able to strip and clean the bike on the front lawn of the Motel – Mr Owner even popping over for a chat in the process. Padding on, into the bike box my friend went – it’s amazing how attached I can get to my bike on our big adventures!
One final trip to the Supermarket to buy the carnivorous part of dinner, then a bit of relaxing to be had outside the Motel (each unit had a private courtyard that got lots of sun). Sitting in the evening sunshine, I plugged back into my phone MP3 playlist and updated my diary with the last couple of day’s events. My final diary entry:-
“Writing this at Motel in lovely evening sun. Already the memories of those really hard times is dulling – I survived didn’t I? Went into town today – massive feed at cafe by the Square. Ate at emergency pace, much to the amusement of other patrons! Couldn’t help but smile as I rode away from Seymour Square – will I return on a bicycle? Who knows?! Think it will take a while to process what I have achieved. Yes, I didn’t ride a lot of the singletrack, but I did complete the course – 90% of it completely alone.
For now, back home. My lovely Wife Sandra & beautiful Daughter Emma await. Bikepacking allows you a different experience to car based travel – life is truly stripped to the basics – food, water, shelter. The missing ingredient is love – without that I never would have had the courage to push on. For the love and support from my Wife and Family, I am truly grateful.
The End.
– Graeme 13.02.2012”
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