35. Day off in New Plymouth

Friday, March 15: Sunny, hot & humid

Colin’s

Today was a day for a bit of a sleep-in, followed by breakfast from Theresa, who as a night owl gets up later in any case. Breakfast was fried eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms on toast with tea, and was partaken with Eric over meandering conversation. At some point Theresa had to prepare for a customer (she is a masseuse) and we set about our work.

First I had to remove everything from the pack and sort out some washing. Then the raincoat and the pack had to be washed out in the driveway with the hose; plenty of foam still forming in the pack, and these were hung out on the line to dry. The boots were not getting very dry as they were. As I was finishing the hose job, Theresa’s customer rolled up in her car with custom plates and before she went into the house introduced herself to me as “Jill” (which was clear from the plates).

I now had my washing together, but could no longer ask Theresa for the use of her washing machine for at least an hour. Time to get the GPS tracks sorted, as well as view a couple of things on the net; also try to get the computer to read the one card which for some reason was particularly difficult today.

When Theresa was finished with her customer I loaded up the washing machine and away it went – ostensibly taking about an hour, but in reality it was closer to two before the washing was over and could be hung up.

The computer did read the card if it was in the camera – sort of. Only the DCIM folder and only JPG images, so that the DNGs will have to be removed by some other method. I had had enough of the computer’s antics and was hungry, so I set off to town in the hope of finding a pie.

It has been easier. After walking much of the length of Devon St finally found a bakery that allowed you to sit & eat, but then they only had really small sausage rolls for $3 a piece. I had two and then set off to the supermarket to find something to drink. The apple & blackcurrant lemonade I had just bought was very good at spreading itself around the car park & less for drinking, but anyhow.

Back here the drying was proceeding apace. Theresa had placed the boots in the sunshine, so they too will be quite dry. One last conversation with Eric, who had gotten a ticket for WOMAD and was taking in some culture this evening, then to the net to order a taxi for tomorrow morning, and check what options I might have for dinner, should be the town be overrun by WOMAD visitors as I suspected.

In good time for the meal I took off for Lone Star (52-58 Gill St) that I had finally located during the course of today’s first foray and the place was refreshingly empty (well, it was just after 5:30). Ordered the lamb shoulder and a Panhead Supercharger and it was just the thing for having come off the track. Superbly tender (the lamb; the vegetables were quite al dente which means fresh) and well worth the $47.5. The only worrisome thing was the constant questioning & thumbs up to any decision I would make, which certainly looked artificial. Go for the food.

The washing was finally dry and the packing could begin. Off to one last photo of the Post Office tower.