DAY 4: ON THE ROAD, STRATFORD TO PATEA

wow what a day to start off with after a 4 day rest.. until now i thought that 25 mph headwinds were too much to ride.. today i had an insane headwind all day with gusts that had to be 50 mph.. to simulate what that sounds like, stick your head out of your car window on the highway and keep it there all day. to simulate how enjoyable it is, cover your body in honey and sleep naked in a jungle along the equator.. but i figured that i had to come to terms with it the same way i came to terms with climbing and rain so i put my head down, stayed in my highest gear and pushed through it.. i only got about 60km (37 miles) and went into a pub for a much needed beer.. it was a strange pub owned by two filipino women, i turned to an older guy next to me and said 'hey any idea where i can pitch a tent?'
he looked at me for a second then pointed out the window and in a thick kiwi accent said 'you see that white house over there'
i said 'the one with the cow in the yard?'
he pulled out a key that looked as though it would belong to a medieval wizard and said 'yea, i own it but its gutted with no power. stay as long as you like and leave the key in the back door when you leave.'
it was a creepy, old wooden house. i found a room with carpet and curled up in my sleeping bag with a loaf of bread, rice and beans, a book and a flashlight.. i fell asleep listening to the wind hammer the south side of the house

here is a clip of the wind.. careful its kinda loud: