Sunday
2nd March 2008
The
forecast was mixed but the sun was shining so we stayed another day in
Totaranui. Having sat in the van
more or less all day Saturday we needed a leg stretch; but not another Gibb’s
Hill!? We went south down the Abel
Tasman Track as far as Aworoa to a river crossing where you could cross at low
water. It was an hour before low
water when we arrived but the river was swollen after all the rain on Saturday
and we learnt from a lady that her son had had to carry her across waist deep.
(He was 6’ 6” and she was 5’ 2” – unfortunately we missed the sport). We decided we were not ready for another
serious adventure just yet and had a leisurely stroll back to the camp – in the
pouring rain!
Actually over the last mile the sun came out and it’s
amazing how quickly you dry. Then
by chance we met the warden; Trevor (You remember “Gibb’s Hill – down hill all
the way”). We called him, but he
didn’t get out of his 4x4, I think he suspected he was in for something. When we told him we had acted on his
advice and showed him the map I don’t think he had ever walked the Gibb’s Hill
Track and only new it by reputation.
After much laughter and general leg pulling he seemed quite impressed
with our performance remarking on our fitness. Maybe all this walking will stand me in
good stead later on this year?
Monday
we had to move on so we drove to Richmond. Not the most salubrious place in NZ you
might say? True but it has hidden
virtues. You will recall we have a
dented van that if not fixed we would be vulnerable to an avaricious hire
company. Obviously our dented van
has arisen in discussion from time to time and one fellow camper said “I know a
man who can” and gave us a firm he regularly deals with and to mention his name
and we will get good service. They
were very accommodating and so 8.00am tomorrow morning – Mags birthday - we will
deliver the van to be fixed and will have to amuse ourselves till 4.00pm, and
the same following the day – and we shall
see?
Those
who remember our exploits in Australia will remember our predicament with
the van on Mags birthday that year!
Roger
& Mags; Mum & Dad
