The awning had to come down early evening. The wind had picked up, not to the degree that the pop top had to also come down, but enough to lift the pegged legs from the ground, pulling the pegs up with them. Shame really because the sinking sun was still giving enough heat for shade to be required. We walked to the beach with the hope of seeing a lovely sunset but clouds on the horizon got in the way.
With clear skies and a waning crescent moon, we stayed up to admire the stars. 10 30 pm, and it still wasn't dark enough, by 11.30 pm and really tired both went out for a final look. I do so wish I could get my camera settings right to take pictures, it just doesn't seem to happen for me. I will leave it to your imagination but needless to say the sky was filled with millions of stars and the Milky Way, although a bit hazy could plainly be seen. It was a sight to behold.
Up very early this morning and all because of advice given about the best time to see the Matheson Mirror Lake. The plan was to get dressed, not to make the bed, just throw everything on it and set off. But the table and chairs had been left outside and needed storing away. Now here the plan went a little awry, and what happened later upset Ian quite a lot.
Ian went out and immediately a swarm of sandflies were at him. Gosh, he was slapping legs, throwing arms about and dived inside to cover the exposed bits with the sandfly spray. In the meantime about a dozen or more had followed him in, and I was going equally mad by squirting fly spray at Ian and all around the Toy. Twice I got bitten on my foot (why do they always go for my ankles and feet?) but managed to eradicate most of the little buggers with that Raid spray! Finally table and chairs thrown inside and we braved the onslaught to get in the front. So off we set, 12 km back along that track and to Matheson Lake car park. As we alighted I heard an expletive from Ian, rushed out to see what was the matter and in his hand was a very frayed and broken solar blanket cord! In his haste to get away from those evil little sods, he had forgotten that the cord was still attached to the inside plug bit hung down outside ready to attach to the blanket first thing this morning and had dragged it along that gravel road for the duration of the journey!
We went for that walk around the lake, 4 km, three view points and although conditions could have been better (ducks and geese disturbing the water and a very slight breeze had started) I was still fairly happy with the result.
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Breakfast on our return was had at the Matheson Cafe. Sour dough bun with hash browns, bacon, eggs and tomato relish all eaten overlooking the Alps. Magic!
Without a plan we headed for Haast. Along the route Ian spied the Karangarua River walk. He reversed to read the information board. The Karangarua and Douglas valleys Did I read it right....The Copeland track, 6 hours to the first hut ...WHAT!!!! "No way" said I."No, just a short walk to the river". he grinned "Well okay than" said I dubiously who had just done that 4 km walk and inwardly groaned. Crikey even Ian hadn't realised how difficult getting to the river was.
Glad to get back, glad I had the sticks and glad no more suggestions like that was going to happen today! Anyway we made it to Haast after what seemed a very long drive. One stop on the way to admire the view at a World Heritage site Te Wahipounam,
and another stop to purchase real fruit ice creams at Bruce Bay. We both had the mango, gosh they were good.
Eventually stopped in a car park at the heart of the very small township for the night. We had been told this was a good place to stop by a DOC worker at the i site. It was also a great place to mend that cable. Insulting tape had been bought from a garage and that 'man of mine that can', cut the small broken section out, joined the wires and wrapped the new join with the tape. He’s good you know, knows his stuff because it almost looks good as new and yes, it works a treat.
And seen on route, These one lane bridges are barely wide enough for a vehicle let alone some stupid idiot trying to walk across it!
And wildlife.
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