Day 57 - Pareora - Glenavy.

51km day today... Only 9 more walking days!!!!!Left the Goodhew's place this morning, and drove to the motel where my Mum, Grandma, and Ange were staying. It was sad to leave the Goodhew's as they are a wonderful family, who really looked after me over the past few days. I really enjoyed spending time with the girls (Harriet, Emily, and Abi). Thank you once again for all that you have done, it is much appreciated, and wont be forgotten! (Mark gets special mention for watching 'Little Britain' with me last night - Great impressions!!!).Thanks also to my Mum, who brought down her Ipod for me to use (after mine broke, walking in the miserable Canterbury rain last sat!!). I really notice the difference in my speed when I have music.Began walking, and was joined by Andrea, Sarah, and Matthew. Andrea walked with me for about 15km, while Matt & Sarah drove in convoy with my 2 JUCY cars. I had a really awesome time chatting with Andrea, and learnt a lot about CF in the process. We stopped in Makikihi for lunch and to re-fuel the cars. Highlight was when the shop attendant came out from behind the counter to meet me at the drinks fridge - just to shake my hand. I continued walking, and a lady and her daughter stopped especially on the side of the road to make a donation (Thanks!). Jo and Mark also spotted me walking as they were driving south, and tooted encouragement. Later on in the afternoon, my friend Greg joined me for the last 20km. It was really neat having him along, and we spent most of the time chatting. Once we finished for the day (in the metropolis of Glenavy, 18 or so km north of Oamaru), I dropped Greg home (at his in-laws), and found our accommodation for the next few nights (Thank you VERY much to the Gawn family, for letting us use your home! I look forward to meeting you tomorrow!! Thank you also to Bevan Crombie for the donated gift packs!!!). After having a quick shower and sorting out our bags etc, Paul, Ange, Mum, Grandma and I all drove around to Greg's place for dinner. Once we arrived, Greg and Katherine introduced us to Katherine's parents (Jean & Ken), and her brother Stewart. We had the best curry I have ever eaten and spent the rest of the eveing talking. It was an awesome night, and the 'crew' and I had a really enjoyable night. Thank you very much to our hosts - a really awesome way to finish the day - with friends.

Day 55 - Christmas. Day 56: Boxing Day/Rest Day.

Day 55 - Christmas:Had a bit of a sleep in this morning after a few big days of walking. I arrived downstairs to find my hosts, the Goodhew's, waiting for Margaret and Myself to wake up, before they opened their presents (Really sorry about that guys, I had no idea you were waiting for us!!!). I then went down to Timaru Baptist for their Christmas morning service. After church, I drove back to the Goodhews, to pick up Margaret and take her around to the Hitchings for christmas lunch. I spent a bit of time catching up with Sarah, Andrea, and Matt, before I went home. Mark and Jo had a few friends and family around for Christmas lunch. I had a great time talking with Jo's dad, Bruce, and her uncle John - mostly about politics and travel. After lunch, most of the guests left, and I spent a few hours talking with Bruce some more, before heading to my room for a rest. We had dinner, I went for a drive to 'expolre' Timaru, and spent the eveining watching 'Love Actually' with the family. Really enjoyable day. I wasn't really looking forward to christmas, being away from home and Family & friends etc. I am really thankful to Mark, Jo, Emily, Harriet, and Abi, for opening their home to me over christmas, and making me feel welcome. Much apprecieated. Thank you also for the present - my favourite type of 'fuel'! Thank you also to margaret for driving for the last few days - this trip would have been difficult without a support driver - so thank you for giving up time with your family, to follow me!
Day 56:I went with Em, Harriet, and Abi to their rowing practice this morning, and watched for a little bit. I left to drive to the airport to pick up Ange (new support crew member). Ange and I came back to Jo's place and had a coffee and catch up, before I took Ange to her hotel. Once the girls got home from rowing, we all went into town to take advantage of the boxing day sales. While in town, I got a phone call from Jo, who said she had arranged for me to talk at the opening of the Caroline Bay carnival. I was a little bit nervous, but public speaking is a huge part of this walk, particularly for raising awarness about CF - so I had to get over the nervousness. We turned up at the Carnival, and I was 'briefed' on the programme. Jo (as the local MP was also involved in the opening ceremony) and did an amazing job of introducing me. Unfortunately, I wasn't too flash and kept it 'short and sweet'. Once we left the stage, we sat in the front row and enjoyed the entertainment. I particularly enjoyed Eddy Lowe - a favourite of the Caroline Bay carnival. After the concert, I collected a bit of money from the carnival goers (I estimate close to $150). Thank you to everyone who stopped to chat and donated. I caught up with Sarah. Sarah, Abi, and I went on a few of the carnival rides. we didn't last long, and decided to come home. My Mum and Grandma flew down this afternoon to take up positions in the support crew, and we are just about to have a BBQ at the Goodhew's. I start walking again tomorrow after 2 days rest. I am really looking forward to having my friend Greg join me for part of the way. However, it will be sad leaving the Goodhew's. Thank you once again for your hospitality, particularly over Christmas, and your very generous donation.

Day 53: Ashburton to Orari. Day 54: Orari to Timaru.

Day 53:Had an interview on Port FM this morning. Went into the studio at 815-ish and spoke with Andy. Good interview, although I wasn't too articualte. Also got a copy of the Ashburton Gaurdian Newspaper. Great article/photo (it even had the fundraise online site!!). Stopped in at Shell to fill the van with petrol, and to replenish my stock of V. Thank you to Junior & Bob for the 2 free cans of V! Began walking from the northern end of Ashburton just before 9am. Jo Goodhew (Timaru MP and my host tomorrow night), who was driving up to Ashburton from Timaru, stopped and offered her encouragement. Did a further phone interview for Port FM. Continued along the long straights until we reached Hinds. Maragret & I stopped in at the Hinds tavern for lunch (Thanks to Jane & Geoff for the best packed lunch I think I have ever had!!). Thanks to Sue & Sue from the tavern for the donations and free drinks! Thank you also to Hinds Mechanical for the donation. got REALLY hot after lunch. I continued on after lunch, but my shins got pretty sore. I took a pain killer that the Dr. in Blenheim prescribed. Unfortunately, I didn't read that it makes you drowsy... I ended up sitting in the shade for half an hour, drinking my 2nd (free) can of V. I eventually arrived in Orari at 645pm (after a 9am start). We arrived at our hosts (Will, Linda, Dougal, Lucy Poulson) house just before 7pm. Linda's parents and her firend Kim were also there. We had a bbq and some drinks and spent the rest of the night talking.
Day 54:Arrived at Orari with Will, Linda, and Lucy. We were met by Jo and her husband Mark, and a few others. All 12 or so of us walked into Temuka (12km). We were meet by a photographer and journalist from a newspaper. Sarah Hitchings and her Mum, Andrea and Brother, Matthew, also joined us for a bit. Will and family left us in Temuka, and Andrea, Sarah, Matt and myself did a bit of a bucket collection around Temuka town. Thank you ver much to Andrea for the VERY geberous christmas present!! It is much appreciated, and will def. come in handy! Margaret and I stopped for Lunch in Temuka with Jo's parents. We had an awesome Bacon & Egg pie. Jo's youngest Daughter, Abbi was there also. After lunch, Abbi and I walked to Timaru. Along the way, we caught up with Logan (the awesome 9yr old I visited in chch hospital on Sunday), his Mum, aunty & Uncle. We all walked into Timaru together, and did a bucket collection. Logan did a fantastic job of walking with us the whole way!! We said goodbye to Logan and his family, (after stopping for drinks at Shell). Abbi & I continued on. We were joined by Abbi's dad, Mark, and older sister, Harriet. Once we finished for the day, we arrived at Mark & Jo's place. We have just had a really great Thai dinner. Tomorrow I will head off to Timaru Baptist and enjoy a rest day.
Only 10 more (walking days).

Day 52 - Dunsandel - Ashburton.

Bit of a later start this morning. The one way street system in Chch is a bit confusing, and I got pretty lost on my way to pick Margaret (my driver for the next few days) up from Halswater. Arrived in Dunsandel to begin walking at 10am. Great day for walking - a bit overcast, with a slight breeze. The road I am walking is entirley straight, and I haven't walked around a corner for the last 2 days, however it is not as boring as it sounds.There is also a pretty decent shoulder to walk on, with very little slope - as a result, my shins felt fantastic today, and the walk was almost completely pain free!!! My IPOD got pretty wet on Saturday, and has decided not to work at all, so a pretty boring day in that respect!!! I came across the Rakaia bridge today - the longest bridge in the southern hemisphere - it is illegal to walk along it, so I had the luxury of being driven (which can't be cheating!!!). Margaret and I stopped for lunch in Rakia, at a really nice cafe. The afternoon went really quickly, and I arrived in Ashburton before 5. We had a newspaper interview organised, so while we were waiting, Margaret and I cleaned out the van (after coming across magots on fri). After the newspaper interview, we drove to our accommodation for the night. I am really lucky to be staying with the Right family, and Margaret is staying next door with the Casey's. We have all just had a really awesome dinner, and after getting to bed late last night, I am just about to get to bed.Thank you very much to Jane, Geoff, Tom, and Hannah Right for hosting me tonight, and to the Casey's for hosting Margaret - It is really appreciated!!

Day 50 (Chch - Dunsandel) / Day 51 (Rest Day).

BlueBridge Ferry:I am excited to announce that Bluebridge ferry is now onboard and sponsoring the JUCY van, myself, and one other (Cam), across the cook staright - at the end of the walk. Thank you very much to Hamish, Kirk and staff for making this possible!!!
Day 50:The worst weather I have encountered on this trip!!! It rained the entire day... I met my friend Anna outside my hotel (Copthorne, Durham St) this morning, just before 9am. We both wandered over to the Cathedral Square (where I finished walking on Fri). Waiting for us was Nicky Wagner (National List MP), and one of her staff - Heather. Nicky & Heather deserve special mentions - turning up to walk for a few hours despite the miserable weather (and Nicky in corporate atire - in preperation for a conference after walking with me!!). It was really awesome to have Nicky & Heather along. We took the scenic route out of the city, and visited all the tourist spots along the way. We even stopped at the dyslexic gardens (bit of a personal highlight for me, being dyslexic). We eventually made it on to the road out of town, and Anna and I said goodbye to Nicky & Heather, and continued walking. Caroline (CF project manager and support driver for part of the day), joined us. Kate and her daughter, Jessie, took over driving duties just before lunch. We made it to Rollerston at 1pm and stopped for lunch. I had been looking forward to arriving in Rollerston (town of the future), as Chris Cairn's finished his walk there in September. After lunch the weather deterorated, but we continued on. Anna did a good job and walked all but the last 6 or 7km. I eventually made it to Dunsandel just before 530pm. We drove back to the city. I thawed out in the shower, then caught a taxi to the strip for dinner (table fo 1...again). Spent the rest of the night relaxing by myself in my hotel room.
Day 51 - Rest day:I was going to head along to church this morning with Anna, but the service time didn't fit in with my schedule for the day (and Anna was still pretty sore from the 40ish km she walked with me yesterday...in the rain!!). Kate (CEO CF association), and myself drove to Mona Vale, where we had lunch with Christchurch's mayor, Bob Parker, and his wife, Jo. I had a great time at lunch. Bob and Jo presented me with a bag full of gifts - a really nice greenstone pendant, sunscreen & lip balm, a few chch postcards, and a really nice book about the city (as well as a few other things). Bob gave me some really good advice on public speaking and dealing with media etc. We also discussed politics and international development, as well as CF and the walk. Thank you very much to Bob & Jo Parker, for the opportunity to meet, and have lunch with you both. It was much appreciated, and I enjoyed myself (Thanks also for the tips!!). After lunch I went to the hospital to spend some time with some of the CF kids in hospital and give them a few christmas chocolates. I met Logan and his Mum. Logan was great fun to hang out with. We played cricket in the hall way for about an hour (the staff didn't seem to mind us hitting balls all over the place - A set of wickets were even drawn on the doors in vivid!!!). I also spent some time with Sam and Uther - Awesome guys. For me, the most rewarding aspect of this trip is meeting people, and it was neat to be able to spend some time with the guys in hospital. Hopefully my visit was a good distraction for them. I said goodbye to the guys, as I was leaving, Logan gave me a thank you post card, and one of his toys - a really touching moment!! Logan lives in Timaru, so I have arranged to catch up with him when I walk through there (Christmas). As soon as I left hospital, Paul picked me up, and took me to church. Paul's sister, Amy and her husband Ben, are on the worship team at Arise church. Paul and I had front row seats reserved for us. It was the christmas production this afternoon, which was absolutely amazing!! After church, I arrived back at the hotel in time for dinner with Caroline, her partner Roger, and Margaret (WGTN CF chairperson, and my driver for the next few days - Paul has christmas off, and Sharon has finished the trip). It is now just before midnight, and I have a busy day again tomorrow - time for bed!!

Day 48:

Bit of a late start this morning.... I drove out to Amberly from Hanmer Springs, and was almost there, when I realised I still had the key for the house in Hanmer!! I turned around and went back to Hanmer to hand it back, before heading off for Amberly...Again!!
I was really fortunate to get the opportunity to walk with Andrew (Really sorry about the late start, Andrew!!). Andrew walked the length of NZ just over a year ago, as a fundraiser for arthritis. It took him 100 days, and he finished in Bluff on his 23rd birthday. Andrew walked with me for about 2hrs. 10 minutes into the walk we were finishing each others sentences!!! It was really neat to talk with Andrew and exchange stories etc. It can be a bit tough talking to friends and family about the walk, cause it seems that they don't really undertand what it takes etc (through no fault of their own), but a lot of what Andrew experienced, I have too - so it was really neat getting to meet him. He was even able to give me an insight into what I could expect from here on in, and we have arranged to catch up on my way north at the conclusion of the walk.
I was also really lucky to meet Lisa. Lisa is planning to walk the length of the South Island, starting at the end of Jan. It was my opportunity to give her advice on what she could expect along the way. It was a good way for me to (self) reflect on the trip also. Lisa walked with me for about 20km. We all (Lisa, Sue, Caro, and myself) stopped for lunch in Woodend. I continued to walk into Chch, and arrived at the cathedral at 530pm. I was stopped by some guys, who I recognised from Hamilton!!! (They preformed the haka for me as I left pack'n'save Hamilton). We spent a bit of time chatting, before they each gave a substansial donation. Thanks Duane, Tapua, and Carl - Much appreciated!!
I am staying at the Millennium hotel for the next 3 nights which is pretty flash! Am at a BBQ with the CHCH CF community. Going really well. I am pushed for time now, as I have a big day tomorrow - will update blog with more detail the.
Also really stoked to have Bluebridge Ferry on board as a sponsor - more tomorrow!!

Day 48.

Rest Day.

Spent last night in Hanmer Springs, and am there again tonight. I am really lucky to be staying in a 'Home away from home' house, used by CF families. It is quite cool spending a bit of time by myself, and in a really nice spot like Hanmer!! Thanks to the CF association for organisng this for me!!

Shins are still very sore, so thought I would go to the pool. After dinner, and on my way to the pool, I was stopped by a police officer as I was walking to my car. I saw the officer driving up and down the main road a few times while I was eating dinner. This is the first officer I have come across on the trip, who has not been supportive of my efforts and given me words of encouragement etc (not that I minded, I was glad I gave him something to do). He asked where I got the signs attached to my car from... He didn't believe me when I told him that Chris Cairns had given them to me after he finished his walk from Auck to Chch. He told me that I needed to take them off my car. When I asked him which law I was breaking, he said I hadn't broken any laws, but they needed to come off. His explanation was that a gust of wind may potentially remove the sign from the car, potentially fall in front of another vehicle, potentially cause an accident and potentially kill someone - and I would potentially be charged with manslaughter. I thought about what he said... I could be crossing the road to get to the dairy, to buy milk, and potentially get ht by a car.. this doesn't stop me from crossing the road. needless to say the signs are still on my van (transit safety requirement - not belligerence).

When I woke up this morning I did some washing and was outside hanging it on the line, when there was an earthquake. I could see the fence moving and then felt the ground shake. There were another few earthquakes throughout the morning. I then drove into Chch to catch up with a friend (Matt), and run some errands.

I'll head back to Hanmer later on this afternoon, and grab some dinner and go to the pools (and hopefully avoid seeing the same cop!!). I predict an early night, as I have a big day tomorrow - walking from Amberly to Chch, and then a CF BBQ in the evening. I am also expecting a few walkers to join me. Looking forward to it.