The Track of Queen Charlotte

Hello my friends. Sorry for the rather abismal title, just trying to get the blog up to date, and so haven't got time to be thinking of witty things to amuse and intrigue you all. So, as Sally so wonderfully haikued it, we came over to South Island on Saturday by ferry, and played mini golf. We had fish fingers in baps and broccoli for tea. The next day we were up bright and early to catch our water taxi at 8 to take us to the start of the Queen Charlotte track, which is situated at Ship Cove. From there we had an arduous 45 min walk up hill to the first lookout point (the point at which we looked was lovely). Luckily it was a lot more easy going from then on and we arrived at Furneaux lodge (the halfway point for our intended walk) a lot earlier than predicted meaning time for a swim. The bottom was rather stoney, so it took some manouvering to get to a point where you caould swim (plus there was fish nibbling my toes - seriously!!) but it was done. After a brief splash it was lunch. I had decided (pretty early on) that i was going to catch the water taxi from Furneaux Lodge to our hostel instead of continuing the further 12k, so i got to lie around a bit after lunch, while Sal trooped on. I met her at the homestay a few hours later, and needless to say she was rather tired. We had a lovely tea (with chocolate cake for pudding mmmm) on the terrace overlooking the spectacular bay and gardens. And then it was pretty much straight to bed. Up the next morning and water taxi back. That's that. more soon. xx

The tea time view at Mahana Lodge