So this weekend was a long one for Waitangi Day. Had a great night on the Thursday at Sparks in the Park.. classical music and fireworks. Excellent. This time (sans camera) set to the William Tell overture (the won wot the young boy stands while his dad shoots an arrow through an apple)… quite good in fireworks.
Anyway – then Friday morning headed off with Steve & Michelle, Andrew, Amy, Maaike and I. Cedar Flats is over on the West Coast of New Zealand close to Hokitika. I should put a map in but I’m afraid I’m feeling lazy (as you would be after the amount of walking we did on Saturday!)
The first day is a 4 hour walk up a valley to reach the huts (no pics). There were quite a few people so we elected to camp… much the best choice as it meant we were a swingbridge closer to the hot pools.
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From time to time the wind blows more than at others. I’m even reading a book on it called ‘The New Zealand Weather Book’… climate change modellers must be *quite* clever. Hopefully. Anyway – there were a few trees down to slow progress, but still, all good. We saw (left) the biggest moss in the world (wikipedia quote below)… and a weevil too. Oooohhh
The tallest land moss, a member of the Polytrichidae is probably Dawsonia superba, a native to New Zealand and other parts of Australasia.
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So yes, a lovely well earned soak in the hot pools that night. I *love* being able to walk 4 hours, put up a tent, make some yum food (blue cheese, bacon, sour cream, and couscous) and then walk 10 mins to Gods own bath (if He/She/They had one). Honestly.. it’s magic..
(second nights dinner – well, Steve’s lot – Maaike and I had curry)
The next day was the long one – off up to Mullins Creek hut. Seemed like it should have been an easy one (certainly how Steve sold it ;) But ended up being a 9 hour walk – which is old enough for my thirtysomething bones. Sigh. Lovely little hut though..
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So that was it really… quite looking forward to a more relaxed few days, and then Billy Connolly on Friday.. should be really excellent. Well, hopefully, he is getting on ;)
P.S. Hope I’m not putting in toooo many pictures?
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