Coast to Coast

The Coast to Coast race is today. No I'm not in it (even the thought of doing it makes me perspire with fear).
Maybe one day, theoretically, I would. I love the idea of slogging my way from one side of the country to the other via my own power. I should have done it 20 years ago, when I was a machine (shakes head with disbelief), It's almost three hundred kilometres or so, between here and Kumara Beach (the runners leave from what we call Spirula beach [Spirula's being a shell we always find washed up there]). It takes over three hours in the car, and I complain about the cold somewhere around Arthurs Pass. But it's beautiful country. There are Kea's, and crags, lakes, and dry, arid desolation. And the delicious colours! - truly a yarn-dyer's inspiration. I love it!
I'm in awe of what these sports people are doing today. They left before I was even awake this morning, and sometime after lunch the first athlete will pound his or her way into New Brighton. What a fantastic feeling that must be!!

This is the athletes route from the West coast to the East coast.

Image from: http://www.coasttocoast.co.nz/the-race/race-profile/ (Speights Coast to Coast)

I could do the bike segment - I'd love the bike segment. And would it really be so bad to just stop somewhere around Mt White, and just take up residence with the Kea's, forever.

Like this Kea, but free ...

PS, summer holidays are over. Knitting is recommencing. More to come ...