My long journey home had begun. I knew that Nelson was my last location for running away in New Zealand. From Queenstown I flew on a little whirry plane to Christchurch, then on to Nelson, to visit my Grandma who lives there. With only 24 hours in Nelson I really wanted to make the most of my time, and my last kiwi run. On hearing that the ‘Centre of New Zealand’ was nearby, my destination was decided. 

After an octogenarian bedtime (as much to do with my hangover as with my company; my Queenstwon leaving party had been the night before), my 7:45 alarm wasn’t such the shock it could have been. The cold, however, was. Here’s me thinking I had escaped the Queenstown chills. Well Nelson at 8am was no better. Wriggling into my leggings and darting out the house, I spent the first 20 minutes or so cursing my forgotten gloves. It took some time, but my quick pace got the blood pumping and I finally began to warm up. 

Following the neat map my Grandma had drawn me, I pounded Nelson’s pavements all the way to the Botanical Reserve, which leads up to the Centre of New Zealand. It is also the site of the first ever rugby game in NZ. The aptly named ‘zig-zag path’ wiggled through the bush up towards NZ’s middle and gave me my hill-fix for the day. You know it’s a good one when you’re congratulated by dog walkers along the way. The ascent was well worth it and I was treated to gorgeous views across pretty Nelson, the bay, and mountains beyond. So it turns out it wasn’t actually accurately the centre of NZ but hey who’s measuring? 

The views were great and the run was a substantial enough hour and fifteen minutes. A great start to my day in Nelson! I couldn’t help but feel I deserved the lovely lunch I was treated to with my Grandma and great aunty later. 

And then my journey continued. Another three days and I would be home. Wow.