If you've not caught up on Part 1 of Life on the Broken Road then catch up here
But carrying on.... 6 years ago was the last time I felled a tree. Back then it was my business, Beaufell Tree services. Despite it feeling weirdly emotional it also felt 'right' to be back on the saw again, doing what I was trained to do. This isn't a return to the old days, sadly it can't be. My body doesn't allow it. I have to find new things to do that doesn't rely on it. Now I'll have to rely on my brain and personality to get by. A scary prospect!
This is one of my motivations to go on a bikepacking trip, to spend the time seeing the wood for the trees, to work out where I should go now? Not just in a geographical sense but in life now. Incidentally the gum tree was planted for fire wood and I'm helping out with the 'gardening'.
Here's to 2000+km on the South Island. Celebrating and staking my claim in Beaumont. Much like my own head, there's nothing much in Beaumont. This Hotel is like an oasis to a sun beaten cyclist that's battled 35deg heat. I got a private room for $25 and the food was incredible, prepared by the Icelandic owner Gunni
Part 3.