Day 48 Zero Day at Nebo

Thursday 3rd June, 2021

An old pump. The only sign I could read.

I was given an ensuite room which I was grateful for, but what they didn't tell me I was in amongst a mines nightshirt crew. At 2am they all come in and have a bit of a yarn, eat some dinner with additional clink of plates and cutlery. Then I can listen to the blokes next door ablutions.

The only pleasure I get is knowing that full body stream of piss that I have to listen to twice before 6am will dwindle to a weak stream that will dribble on your foot as you get older you noisy bastard.

Church

I get up quietly about 7am and head out to look for something to eat. Every thing here is made for miners and come with an obligatory pile of chips. Ok normally, but I'm looking for something light, like a salad. The pub has dongas out back all for miners, don't be tempted by the rooms as they are shit, and noisy.

The museum $4 entry

I did find a laundry which looked like it hadn't been cleaned since it was dropped there next to the non-ensuite dongas. No cost. The hotel laundry costs $1 for a wash and the same for a dry. Anyway I manage to get the washing on and wander across the road for my parcel. It's a mixed business store but doesn't have any appealing fruit or light snacks.

I decide to walk the 500 or so metres to a service station come motel come caravan park. Within 50 metres I am buggered and walking through a table drain saw me sweating and puffing. Whatever I had has left me weak as a kitten. The belly is feeling better so I continue walking. The service station has a roaring trade with the miners but all the food is fast and fried. Any other time I would eat just about anything. But I couldn't even bring myself to have a Pepsi Max (I know, unbelievable).

Just loved the tree outside the ambulance station

I settled on an orange juice and a coffee. Talking to Miss Worry Wart (Belinda) I decided to stay the day and see what happens. I don't want to spend any more money on a donga than I have to and I've already decided I'm moving on tomorrow.

Main highway bougainvillea hedge

The pubs version of a caesar salad with chicken

The walk back I was feeling better so I went back to the donga and started sorting out my next 10 day walk to Malborough. I will send excess on, plus all the additions I've picked up. I've decided with Belinda that I won't push and take my time. So it looks like it is a definite 10 days. Although I've decided if someone offers me a lift down the 10 or so kilometres of the Bruce Highway I won't refuse.

I found a Caesar Salad on the pubs lunch menu, although they used Iceberg lettuce not Cos but atleast it didn't come with a side of chips. It sat on the belly ok so I think whatever set me off has passed through.

A bit of a sleep in the afternoon and I was feeling sort of ok. The test will come when I put on the pack and try to walk.

New outer socks. The other ones were cotton.

10 days food plus the bits I'm posting
on that I have picked up.

Nebo, funny town, a lot of activity larger than some towns but no IGA or Food land. The pub is very busy with 50 rooms in the dongas full then suddenly a shift change and all is quiet. There is a large village of sorts north of town as well and the main highway has constant traffic. Fast food and the pub are doing ok here. But the mixed business shop across the road is very quiet.