TA day 23: Kumara to Hokitika
Distance 76km, Elevation Gain 640m
Rain overnight, and still damp and threatening as we set forth after a lovely breakfast at the Theatre Royal Hotel (& squeezing our packed lunches into our bikebags)Familiar ground, having done the West coast wilderness trail back in December, and the weather cleared so that the jackets came off after less than an hour! A large posse of ebikers passed us during the climb up towards Cowboy Paradise, but stopped short of there for their break, so we had the 'town' to ourselves - us and the sandflies! The ebikers passed through as we were getting ready to head off, and shortly thereafter we came across them congregated around one of their number who had crashed on the downhill gravelly hairpins, sustaining a significant head knock. Andy raced off at breakneck speed down the hill to fetch the groups support vehicle who then managed to negotiate the slim track up the hill to provide transport. Medical assistance provided, and managed to nurse the casualty down to their awaiting support vehicle, for evacuation to Hokitika (& ultimately Greymouth) for definitive medical assessment with scan. To prove it’s a very small world the casualty used to live in Seaview road, Paremata! That drama past, we returned to the business in hand - enjoying the WCWT to the max! Approaching Hokitika we came across the ambo getting ready to transfer the patient to Greymouth, but her condition seemed stable so much relief all round! To Hokitika finally, and the same motel, Central Suites. we had used in December, so we were confident of a most comfortable stay. A short walk in to town to Stumpers for a magnificent feed (also based on past experience!) and stumbled back home already half asleep!
