Tuesday 13 January

We awoke to rather a lot of bumble bees knocking on the window so departed rather swiftly down the road and found a cafe at Pelorus Bridge, a Department of Conservation (DOC) camp site—we should have found it the night before as it was a lovely spot with deep freshwater pools in the river. The water was warm, inviting and cleansing. After two nights freedom camping it was good not only for us but also for anyone else who we might meet during the day.

The single lane road bridge over which large cattle lorries and timber wagons rumbled was originally a swing bridge built by the pioneers but that collapsed under the weight of a flock of sheep and was in later years made into a road bridge

We were very tempted to trade-in, perish the thought, the Mighty for a larger ‘home’ but came to the conclusion that it would be too difficult to park although the upstairs sitting room undoubtedly had good views!

When we arrived in the south island on the 17th December the weather had been dull, misty and wet so we had given the Marlborough Sounds a miss but with the continuing bright sunny weather we drove out towards Queen Charlotte track. We had now completed our circumnavigation of the South Island having crossed our track at Havelock and it was time to celebrate.

We arrived at the Portage Resort Hotel which had magnificent views over the sound. We enjoyed our stay

and had drinks on the terrace with the sun setting through the gap in the hills

but of course, as one might expect, the Mighty called and we returned to the adjoining camp site with Helen still dreaming of white linen tablecloths, sheets, a 'walk round' bed and a dinner cooked by someone else!!

the site had excellent facilities with loos, washing up area and a shower, alas cold water only

a swim in the water that was only a few metres from the Mighty, cold shower to wash off the salt and then supper—what more could one want?

but not before meeting a person from Newcastle, an accountant and farmer, who had been best man to one of Mark’s contemporaries at Savills——very small world. He was staying at the Portage Hotel and walking the Queen Charlotte track.