Thursday, March 20
Masterton to Pahiatua. (it's small, so if you're following along on the map get out the magnifying glass). Just finished a dinner of toasted
cheese and pineapple sandwiches served with rice and veggie soup. If
this sounds exotic to you, it is. It is a stunning exception to our
usual fare of beans and rice (we are thinking about putting together an
exclusively beans and rice cookbook when we get back -- something like,
"More Than Enough Ways to Serve Beans and Rice"). The soup definitely
hit the spot after what turned out to be a rough weather day. From the
start this morning we were fighting rough winds.
For the first 20 or so kilometers, it was blasting us right in
the face. (Mmmm, let's see, at 6km/hr how long will it take us to get
where we're going...?) Suddenly, at the top of a ridge, the wind was
full force at our backs (no complaints there). After about 10K
mother nature had another change of heart and began pounding us from the
side. And then...it began raining (even I saw that one coming). Not
normal rain, but shifting, swirling bursts. The one good (but odd)
thing about this combination of forces was that you stayed
rather dry. In effect, the gale force winds acted like a huge blow
dryer -- blasting away the moisture. This evening, though, has turned
out to be quite nice and peaceful, the storm having blown on to bug
someone else. Unfortunately, we did not get much of a chance today to
take in the scenery. But, in the brief lulls between gusts, we did
notice farmland (mostly sheep...) rolling by interspersed with
golden, gently rounded hills. Will provide you with better visuals
tomorrow. Mike replies to emails at the library in Pahiatua.
