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ONE FOOT AFTER THE OTHER

  • Thank you to you all

      1 December 2020

    he Give a Little page closed yesterday - with donations at $1316!!

    Thankyou so much to everybody who donated to the page, donated by way of on trail support or who gave me encouragement.

    Fun facts:

    Favourite day - day 5. Lauder to Oturehua, 22.5 km. The weather was nice and cool, with lots of drizzle and snow on the hill tops, I loved walking in the cooler weather. Poolburn tunnels and the viduct were amazing. A few NZ Falcons in the area to see as well.

    Hardest day - day 10. Kokonga to Hyde (14.5 km). Wasn't the longest day but due to shuttle times I didn't start walking to after lunch - meaning the heat was already well into the 20's. In the hot sun and long stretches with no shade I really stuggled.

    Memorable moment - when an entire paddock of cows (near Oturehua) followed me along the fenceline, whenever I stopped to look at them they stopped, then started when I started again.

    Injuries - none except a blister.

    Biggest dissapointment - spending ages at Galloway Station looking in the special rock garden (designed for skinks) and seeing none.

    Best sighting - an unexpected skink at Kokonga Station!!

    Hares - these are the weirdest thing to watch running. They don't really hop like rabiits, they seam to get up on all 4 legs and run almost like a cat!!

    Most stressfull moment - when I realised I dropped my phone (thankyou to the bikers that picked it up!!!).

    What I learnt - people are amazing!! The generosity and kindness of people has blown me away.

    Thankyou to everyone who supported me on this journey - you are incredible :-)

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  • Thank you to you all

      18 November 2020

    My intention was to individually thank everyone for thier donations, but while on the trail it was very difficult to do from my phone. I also hadn't expected so many donations.

    So thank you to you all for your incredible support!!

    You are donating to an zmazing organization that has helped so many 🙂🙂🙂

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  • Day 12 Rock & Pillar to Middlemarch

      15 November 2020
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    And that's a wrap!!! 152 km all done 🙂🙂🙂

    My oldest, Josh, walked the 14.5 km with me today and husband Steve walked in from the trail head with Anna and Shyla to meet us for the final 1.5 km. Perfect walking conditions today, no wind, no rain and lower temperatures do we got through pretty fast 🙂

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    • 16/11/2020 by Lynnette

      Congratulations Amy! Such an awesome effort. You should be so proud! Love and big hugs Lynnette x

  • Day 11 Hyde to Rock & Pillar

      15 November 2020
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    13 km. Wind wind wind!!! Today was so do windy!! I was lucky enough to have my Aunty walking with me - at one stage we had to link arms to avoid being blown off the trail!! There was a fair bit of time veering across the trail in the wind. The company was great 🙂

    Apon arrival at Rock & Pillar I realized I didn't have my phone. I was so so blessed as the group arriving at Rock & Pillar had picked it up off the trail. They had noticed it as the wind was too strong to bike so they were walking thier bikes. Best I can figure is it fell out my (large oversized) pocket when I was bracing myself against wind.

    138.5 km done - 13.5 km to go!!

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  • Day 10 Kokonga to Hyde

      15 November 2020
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    L14.5 km + 1.1 km to accommodation

    Today has been the absolute hardest day on the rail trail. Certainly not the longest but definitely the hardest. Due to shuttle timings the earliest I could get yo Kokonga to start was 12 noon. The sun was directly overhead and it was already really hot by then. In the heat (28 degrees)I struggled from the start, from about 8 km I found it incredibly hard. I sheltered from the sun whenever I found shade. The walk took forever, I think 5 hours to do 14.5 km!!! There was some neat sights (viaduct and tunnel) towards the end. I was incredibly grateful to have my Aunty Shona and Uncle Phil walk in and meet me and walk the last couple of km with me - by that point I was past exhausted. my Uncle even carried my pack 🙂 Luckily they could Google map how to get to the accommodation (which wasn't where I thought it was) because my phone provider had no coverage for data in Hyde.

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  • Day 9 Ranfurly to Kokonga

      12 November 2020
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    18 km today. Set off early to beat the heat & make sure i made it in time for shuttle pick up (got there 2 hours early anyway!) Quite a nice walk with interesting bits n pieces to see. Cute lambs on hhe trail today. Day warmed up pretty quick. Shuttled back from Kokonga to Ranfurly and will be dropped back to the trail late tomorrow morning.

    3 days left - 110 km done, 42 km to go!!

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  • Day 8 Wedderburn to Ranfurly

      12 November 2020
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    Day 8 Wedderburn to Ranfurly

    Todays walk was 13.5 km (but the doc sign said 15 km?). Was for hot weather today so I left Wedderburn at 7 am to beat the heat. There was still a frost on the ground then! Soon after I walked through fog. Nice walk but did warm up pretty quick and the fog cleared. Managed to get my first blister today - had expected one well before now!

    Highlight of the day was catching up with Brain Injury Association Otago liason officer Cathy Matthews who dropped by Ranfurly on her way home from Central 🙂

    Its for mega hot tomorrow so will do another early start

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  • Day 7 Zero day

      10 November 2020

    Done absolutely nothing! Its very hot. Sat outside under a tree and read a book on my phone most of the day.

    Finished day with a beer and vegetarian Hamburger 🍔

    For very hot (16 by 10am, 24 by noon) the next few days so going to leave really early and try beat the heat.

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  • Day 6

      10 November 2020
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    Oturehua to Wedderburn -12 km

    Slept like a log last night, was so tired!!

    Woke with sore legs, feet and even toes!!

    Frosty start to the day but then it clouded in and the snow on the nearby hills kept temperatures cool. I was very surprised that despite being exhausted and sore the 12 km only took 3 hours. Sleep in tomorrow as its a rest day - I'll probably sleep to lunch!!

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    • 10/11/2020 by Lynnette

      Hi Amy!, Lovely frosty photo! Such an inspiration you are setting for all girls! Love, Lyn

  • Day 5 Lauder to Oturehua

      8 November 2020
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    Todays walk was a mammoth 22.5 km!! Started of with rain, then drizzled / rained most of the morning. Temperature was pretty cold with fresh snow on the hills, but cold and walking work well together 🙂 Tunnels and viaduct were amazing and the scenery incredible. Was lucky enough to see a few NZ falcons. Last 3 km of walk were a bit of a push as I was tired but otherwise walk was really good. I have a feeling I might be sore tomorrow!!

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/one-foot-after-the-other

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    • 09/11/2020 by Lynnette

      Hi! Amy, Wow you really are going great! Love Lyn

  • Day 4 Omakau to Lauder

      8 November 2020
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    A mega short 7 km walk 🙂

    Nice termperature

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  • Day 3 Chatto Creek to Omakau

      7 November 2020
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    A lovely 12 km walk today and the temperature was perfect, about 15 degrees 🙂 No sun so no need for sun hat and zero wind. A little misty drizzle at tiger hill but nothing major. So much easier walking in temperatures I'm used to. Best part of all was some off it was (a very gradual slope) uphill, rather than just flat.

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    • 07/11/2020 by Lynnette

      Hi! Amy, That walk sounded perfect. Great photos! Love and hugs! Lyn

  • Day 2 Alexanda to Chatto Creek

      5 November 2020
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    17 km today in heat the same as yesterday. First 12 km pretty good but the last 5 km very slow due to the heat.

    Lots and lots of baby lambs along the way 🙂

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    • 06/11/2020 by Lynnette

      Hi Amy! Well done! Sending a big hug to you. Great going! Love Lyn

  • Day 1 Clyde to Alexandra

      5 November 2020
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    Nice easy 8 km walk, but weather super hot. 30 degrees - much warmer than the Dunedin temperatures I'm used to!!

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  • 1 day to go!!

      3 November 2020

    I start the Otago Central Rail Trail walk tomorrow and today I want to reflect on how amazing people are.

    When a major injury happens rehabilitation does not happen in a vacuum. It happens in a community, a big community including family, friends, rehabilitation specialists, community organisations and lots of other people and groups. Well many contributed first and foremost I want to acknowledge the greatness of my Mum and Dad - without their support and encouragement my recovery never would have been what it is. People often talk about the patient's recovery but forget the impact a serious injury has on the rest of the family. It is not just life changing for the brain injured but also for those immediately around them.

    I am incredibly grateful for my husband and kids - who put up with my permananyt tiredness and forgetfullness!! And for supprting me in everything I do 🙂

    Despite the fact 2020 has been incredibly tough on the economy a number of businesses along the Otago Central Rail Trail have been keen to support One Foot After The Other. Thank you so much to these businesses. Every business acknowledged on the Facebbok page has donated or discounted services for this fundraising venture, Please support them back by using their services when you are in the Central Otago area 🙂

    Thank you to all those who have donated - you are supporting a truely amazing organisation.

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    • 03/11/2020 by Lynnette

      Amy, You are an inspiration and an awesome person! I hope all goes well! Love, Lyn

  • 2 weeks to go!!

      21 October 2020

    Just 2 weeks left until I start the Rail Trail :-)

    Walking local streets this week as husband has car for a course hes attending :-)

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  • 3 weeks & 6 days to go!!

      8 October 2020

    weeks and 6 days to go!! How time flies!! All accommodation & bus to Clyde booked.

    Just in the process of sorting what will go in the tramping pack. I will be carrying everything I need with me on the trail and resupplying at towns along the way as needed. As there is towns along the way and I have accommodation I only need to carry a bare minimum (clothes, rain gear, snacks, lunch + lots of water) so pack weight will not be excessive 🙂

    I have the appropriate gear so intend on walking rain, hail (hopefully not!) or shine.

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  • Warm day for a walk

      3 October 2020
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    Fantastic warm day for a 16km walk from Vauxhaull to Compsny Bay, and back. Really enjoying the Otago Harbour walkway 🙂

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  • Today's walk

      14 September 2020
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    Just a short walk today :-)

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  • Another harbor walk

      10 September 2020
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    16.83 walk around the Otago harbor

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  • Otago Harbor walk

      10 September 2020
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    13 km walk around the harbour

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  • 7 weeks 6 days to go!

      10 September 2020

    Only 7 weeks and 6 days until I start the reail trail! Time flies!

    Over the over the past few weeks I've done a bit of waking.

    Next week I start a more structured walking programme.

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  • Time for new shoes

      11 August 2020
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    The red shoes on the page are my tramping boots - awesome for hills and mud but not great for the rail trail. I had hoped to wear my 12 year old favourites as they are so comfy. However the shoes have decided otherwise- with a plastic bit coming through the back and cutting my sock and heal 😕 Ordered new ones almost identical, so just waiting for them to arrive 🙂🙂

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  • How "one foot after the other" evolved

      1 August 2020

    In January 2020 I decided to start walking local Dunedin tracks. When I started, as with when I learnt to walk again, I had to constantly remind myself to put “one foot after the other.”

    Walking comes naturally to most, but it doesn’t always to me. If I am tired my feet are less likely to walk in unison with each other and walking on different terrain is a whole different ball game.

    Since starting to walk local tracks 6 months ago there have been many trips and falls, bruises and grazes and a lot of slips and slides - but thankfully no major injuries. I always carry a daypack with safety essentials and the more I walk the more stable I am on my feet. That said, I still often remind myself to put “one foot after the other”.

    Over time I’m becoming more confident on different terrains. It’s still hard and exhausting but I trust in my abilities. Most of all I love it. My average walk is 7 - 15 km, usually up a hill, then down a hill (because that's how most Dunedin tracks are!) Very rarely are track times accurate for me as I get tired. I stop when I’m tired and start again when I’m ready.

    Wanting to push myself further I thought about the walking the Otago Centrail Rail Trail. Around the same time I read an article about someone walking another trail to raise funds for a non profit organisation. Walking the trail while raising money for the Brain Injury Association Otago made complete sense - as my husband said "its a no brainer"!!

    The rail trail will be a challenge of another sort. The hardest part will be walking day after day. Tiredness will be my biggest enemy. I will push myself to the limit. The days are planned around an average of 15 km per day - a distance I know I can achieve. A couple of days are longer and a couple are quite short. I’ve popped a rest day in the middle as I’m aware my body will need this. I feel confident in my schedule and its achievability.

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