Farewell Spit

The next day we had a bit of a lie in,making the most of the hostel beds, so by the the we were ready it was about 10am!

We drove about 20km to Farewell Spit where we took a loop walk through the fields to Fossil Point, along the ocean beach, then across the spit and back a long the inner beach. It was a nice walk with great views of the spit and dunes and the sand walking was much easier without our heavy packs.

Heading across the fields

Walking on the spit

We drove a little further to Whariraki beach and ate our packed lunch in the car park. Then we walked out to the beach and back. We were on the lookout for seals but didn't see any. Not seen any on the trip yet. Rosie had worn jeans in an attempt to avoid getting any more bites, but today was very hot again so she had to change to shorts in the car park.

After Rosie had breezy legs again we drove and parked in a little laybay, we had to ask some people to move over because they were taking up two spaces. But then we managed to fit in.  From where we left the car we walked to the Pillar Point lighthouse and back.
The lighthouse was a bit disappointing because it was actually just a light, no house at all! But the walk was worth it for the views.

No more jeans!

View of Farewell Spit from Pillar Point trail

By the time we got back to the car it was about 3pm and very hot. We had also drunk most of our water supplies. So we returned to the hostel and put the tent out to dry on the grass. We hadn't bothered the day before because the weather was too damp. Rosie also made me organise the food and cooking equipment box, and all our clothes and backpacks! I borrowed a bucket from the hostel and rinsed off the back of the car a bit. It has gotten very dusty the last two days.
After all our chores we relaxed for a while and then made a massive pan of sausage pasta for dinner. Yum!

Car Troubles & Te Waikoropupu Springs

We had a bit of a problem the next day when our rental car wouldn't start. We had to get a jump start from a man at the campsite, but it has seemed ok since. Perhaps it just didn't like us leaving it for 4 days!

Once we got on the road, and after we stopped to buy some peaches from a roadside stand (while leaving the engine running), we drove to Takaka for supplies. We had planned to make a couple of stops on the way but we wanted to give the car a good run and the weather was a bit grey so we decided we could stop on the way back in a few days instead.

From Takaka we drove to the Grove Scenic Reserve and had lunch and took the short walk there. Then we went to Te Waikoropupu Springs.

After the springs we attempted to find another walk down a nearby gravel road but ended up turning around because it didn't seem to be the right place. All we achieved was getting the car very dusty and dirty. Later we looked it up and it was the right road, we just hadn't gone quite far enough.
We didn't really mind because we were ready for a rest. We drove on past Collingwood to our hostel for the night, we have real beds in a twin room!

After checking in we relaxed for a while, Rosie made phone calls and I played on my computer and scratched my mozzie bites.

We had pizza cooked in the hostel oven for dinner. We also ate some of the peaches, which were scrumptious, and Kit-Kat Chunkies we had gotten from the supermarket.

Walking the Abel Tasman Track

Packed and ready to go!

We have just returned from our 4 and a bit day walk of the Abel Tasman track. We have had beautiful weather the whole time. We swam in the sea every day and carried everything we needed on our backs.

So, we did have the energy to take pictures of the signs after all

It was a bit tougher than we expected at times but we completed it without too much whinging and it was definitely worth it. We are both proud of our achievement.
We will take it a bit easier for a few days to allow our aches, pains and bites to heal and catch up on sleep, showering and eating lots!
Oh, we took a looooooot of pictures!

First night's campsite - beautiful!

All packed up for day 2 on the trail

Day 2 - still smiling

Night two on the beach after a swim

Day 3!

One of the walk highlights - an unexpected cafe!

Tidal Crossing

Day 4!

Day 5 - ready for a shower and a burger!!

The finish line!  We did it!

Food first, wash later!

We earned it!