11/3/18: rain

Lesson 3 of motorcycle travels strikes again. Have spent the last three hours checking every weather site that covers New Zealand and can’t find a single one that will tell me anything besides 3-5 inches of rain and gusty winds expected along much of my planned route today.

Also it turns out that there aren’t a lot of options, per se, in terms of alternate routes. I’ve been scrutinizing maps and yeah wow: from where I am I can go north or south on route 6 and I’ve ridden in both directions already so I can’t talk myself into “Maybe it’ll be fine!” These roads are “exciting” in good weather—I am not quite dumb enough to sign up for a go at them in weather like this, trusty rain suit or not.

So, I’ve finally given up any hope of getting out of here and extended my stay at this hotel for another night online. I gave the reservation a few minutes to process, then headed for the reception desk to let them know in person. I was very touched to find the nice lady who runs this (lovely) joint had left me a towel to use to dry off the bike (which I tried not to interpret as “Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?”). I’d barely closed the door to my room when she popped out from the office and let me know she’d seen my extended reservation come through and it would be no problem to keep my same room etc. We talked about the weather for a minute and, in sympathy, she commented “It’s better to stay here—no point in making yourself miserable.” Boy howdy did I jump on that quickly: “Oh, no,” I answered. “I’ll be miserable—that’s not a problem at all. I just don’t want to be stupid.”

Fortunately, the dolphins are refundable and if I were to search the blackest depths of my heart I would have to confess that I’m not completely disappointed to be spared the potential for dolphin rejection. And if there is anyone well suited to taking a day to laze around read books, well: that person is certainly I. (I have knitting with me too, never fear. Reruns of “Coronation Street” appear to be on all 5 television channels 24/7 so here’s a chance to find out what the hype is all about.)

One more bright spot: now I can find out if the glowwormmaggots glow during the daytime, as well. I know exactly where to find the little fuckers and there is no sun to be seen—I bet that forest is nice and dim and I’ll wait for a break in the rain to zing over and have a look.