17th October 2023

Mixed day! I don’t think the day off yesterday helped much, probably too hot to relax much.

Started off, crosses the main road and into extremely humid forest. My, uncalibrated, gauge said 70%. Even if that’s wrong it was still very hot and sweaty. But the scenery is changing. The trees are getting bigger. Somebody a while back said that different types of forest have different humidity levels, some are like having Aircon on. This was not one of those! However, fun windy tracks.

Eventually it opened out into my nemesis, gravel roads. But the trees got bigger and bigger.

About half way through was an open grassy valley with a huge lake at the bottom which was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, as seems to be the way with the M-B, the flies came out and mugged me. For a while I gave up and put my head net on.

However, once on the move again, the trail changed to old logging rail beds through the forest. Mostly uphill, obviously, but nothing too severe.

And then it gave way to the full on majestic, huge, trees that this area is known for. Except my reserves had hit rock bottom by then and it was a struggle. Even worse was hitting the outskirts of Pemberton where the trail was on roads with a nasty headwind.

Fortunately I have been here before and knew where the campsite is so I booked a pitch, set up my tent and had a short snooze.

I also know where the pub is so, after a bit of shopping I had a T bone with extra veg and a couple of beers.

I’m now back in the campsite where it is making a feeble attempt to drizzle.

Tomorrow? See what the legs say…..