Let the Orienteering Begin!

After a very good night's sleep in the van at Chris and Choi's house to make up for the previous nights of rain drumming incessantly on Oscar's roof (at least the bikes have had a power shower!) we said our goodbyes to the family with offers of beds when they are next in the UK and came away with bags of fruit from the garden, including nashi pears which are a first for us. Sadly Chris had to chase a weka out of the shed last night, not before it made off with a Guinea fowl chick, so the box and heat lamp were moved up out of jumping reach!
We drove back into a very quiet Nelson where everything was closed for Good Friday and hung out at the assembly area for the Sprint Race until it was time for our runs. It was a very low key event compared to what will be happening back at home at our own Easter international event but well organised with helpful folks to answer our questions. The Sprint was around a number of business and college/school blocks in the centre of the town and began in a well kept small park. I made an error which cost me dear on leaving the park in to the town and ended the day fourth overall. Pleased with that but could have done better. Tony was still under par due to his heavy cold and didn't have enough steam to run his best, but there is always tomorrow. It was lovely that two folks sought me out before my run, Viv Bloor who was one of our club members many years ago till she emigrated here and a mum who spotted my Lagganlia top and came for a chat. It turned out her daughter Emma and our Becky had been on the same Lagganlia tour and were good pals. Emma is also living out here now. Afterwards we had a mini blipmeet when TMLHereandthere Came over for a chat after hearing from PaulaJ that we would be in Nelson. It was lovely to meet her and swap stories. Six degrees of separation are so very true in Blipland!
Then it was time to climb aboard Oscar the van and head south to the competition area for the next two days at St Arnaud. The drive down Wai-iti Valley Road was quiet and very pretty and we were here on Kerr Bay campsite in ninety minutes. I am running out of adjectives for NZ landscape as this is yet another stunning spot with Lake Rotoiti minutes away from the campsite and a fabulous view of the Saint Arnaud Range, which has to be my blip for today!
Good luck to orienteering blippals competing in Yorkshire this weekend!