The morning was relaxed and after saying goodbye to Emmet and Hanna, who are continuing on after a rest day and going to Hanmer Springs (rest day) and then Queenstown (get new hiking poles) respectively, I went to meet the shuttle at 11:30. There were two other women hikers on the shuttle, including Anne, who had shared a dorm with Hanna and I. Anne had given me some tips of things to do in Nelson and also her favorite hikes in New Zealand. We got to Nelson around 1pm and I wandered off to find some lunch. I ordered a chicken burger, which turned out to be the messiest sandwich I’ve ever eaten since the chicken was in small pieces and drowning in sauce and the bun was stuffed way too full. I got by with a fork and knife in the end. My Airbnb host messaged me that she was in town and we met up and she gave me a lift back to her house after stopping at a fruit and veggie shop. She also drove me back into town later for my physio appointment. The physio gave me good news and bad, the knee I fell on doesn’t have structural damage and just needs rest, ice and anti-inflammatories while my Achilles is inflamed (tendinitis), which can take weeks to months to rehab. She gave me some exercises to start with for the Achilles and I’ll see her again after the long weekend on Tuesday for a treatment. She also explained that I fall under ACC, a program here available even to visitors, that covers treatment after accident. Since my knee was the result of a fall, she can put me under ACC and my treatments are half price. After the appointment, I picked up some groceries and then headed back to the Airbnb on foot and made myself some dinner before calling it a night.

Since then, I’ve been taking it quite easy… I saw a movie, went to a museum, went to the Saturday market, got a hair cut, visited cafés and did an art walk. My knee is still sore to touch and my Achilles flares up a bit after my exercises or sometimes when I walk a bit.

My Airbnb host has been lovely, making me feel at home in her place, lending me an ebike and even cooking together the last night. Sadly, I have to move on as I don’t want to blow my budget and I don’t know how long I’ll need to be off trail. So tonight I’ll be at a trail angel’s and then have a hostel booked for a few nights.

It’s Waitangi day today so a public holiday. I understand that the summer holidays are over after this for New Zealanders and that the kids will be back at school. I spent the day by biking out to Tahunanui beach, where I did some body surfing in the small waves and then had some gelato. Back in town, I met up with my lovely trail angel and we spent a nice evening chatting and she made me dinner of lentil lasagna and salad, both delicious and healthy. She’s a tramper as well and she and her partner have done some pieces of the TA. She also has the most adorable dog that is part Border Collie and part Fox Terrier and certainly won my whole heart.