Te Araroa, Day 124

Daylight comes later and later. We start at 7:45, just walking along the highway, approximately 33 km to Invercargill.

I aim to walk at least half of that before the first break. After 3 hours and 17 km, I take a break and eat some lunch; my feet are already hurting.

Despite trying to walk on gravel or grass, the pain intensifies after the break. I manage another 10 km but struggle. Eventually, the pain becomes unbearable, and 4 km before reaching the accommodation in Invercargill, I catch a bus. Besides a short walk to a supermarket, I don't walk anymore today.

Tomorrow, there's 35 km to the end of the North Island, the last leg to Bluff, and right now, I don't know how I'll manage it.

X went to sleep around 3:30; his plan is to complete the last leg tonight and arrive at Bluff to watch the sunrise. I plan to start early in the morning and catch a 4:40 shuttle back to Invercargill.

X has a tough night walking. It rains on and off, and there are very strong winds hitting and pushing from the front. He texts me to walk in my poncho even when there's no rain. I'm worried; my feet hurt all night, and every step is painful. I truly hope I can somehow manage those last 35 km. Even when I lay down, my feet don't stop hurting.

I wonder how I'll get to Bluff.

Street Art in Winton:

On the road...

Standing at the bis stop and also seeking cover from the rain. I discover a stone with some writing on it: