Birthday Weekend

Birthday Weekend

Blue Lake - St Arnaud 

So, we woke up to blue skies, of course. We toyed with the idea of going over the Pass instead of turning back but we decided we had no choice- if anything went wrong on the other side, we wouldn't have enough food to last us to wait a day or to back track. We had to go back to St Arnaud whether we liked it or not.

A few of the guys we'd stayed with in Blue Lake decided to go over so we said goodbye nice and early and headed back along the same track we'd walked along two days before. It was astounding. The huge waterfalls, the streams that we couldn't cross, the flooded tracks had shrunk so much it wasn't recognisable as the same track at all. 

We made the three hour journey from Blue Lake to West-Sabine in two hours and then from West-Sabine to Sabine in only four so we decided if we pushed really hard we'd be able to make it to St Arnaud all in one day. 

Having already done 26km though, we took a quick break for lunch inside Sabine. It was a really big 30 bed hut with big windows out onto Lake Rotoroa. We'd just unloaded our bags onto the table to make our Peanut butter and honey on Weetabix (all the shop had left) when a speed boat pulled up in the lake outside. A man stood up and waved at us offering us a lift to the other side of the lake. Of course, we threw the weetabix in the bag and jumped on the boat as quickly as we could! 

On the way to the jetty, the man and his wife explained that the track we were planning to walk was closed due to flooding and landslides. When we arrived at the campsite that we'd planned to camp at, we realised why the paths were closed- the picnic bench was underwater past the seat and the lake had risen over a meter so the jetty was completely submerged. 

Luckily, the guys who picked us up on the boat had a 4x4 and could take the four of us (me, Luke, Ned from London and Felix from Germany) 20 minutes out of their way to St Arnaud. We were very very thankful! 

Relieved to have arrived in St Arnaud sooner than we planned, we booked a night in the hostel, cooked fish n chips and planned a new route for the next few days. 

St Arnaud - Hanmer Springs 

New plan : to hitch to Hanmer Springs in time for my birthday and pick up the TA from there (only section missed will be the second half of the Waiau Pass)

There was no way we were going back into the Nelson Lakes to redo five days we'd already done just for the sake of one part, and we'd already booked accommodation in Hanmer for my birthday so the only option was to get to Hanmer by Sunday (today is Saturday). Only problem is, Hanmer Springs is over 300km from St Arnaud. 

We got up bright and early, grabbed a coffee from the overpriced cafe, and then searched for the most prime hitch hiking spot in St Arnaud. 

It was definitely prime spot because this time we were picked up within 20 minutes rather than 2.5 hours! 

The guy who picked us up had been on holiday in the Sounds and, thankfully, this was the only road open leading all he way to Christchurch (via Hanmer!!) 

We were in the car for maybe half an hour when Luke turned around and just said 'shit.' 

We'd forgotten our hiking boots!!!!! How do two people who are hiking the length of a bloody country just forget their most compulsory piece of kit!? 

The guy pulled over and let us out of the car. We shamefully crossed the road while cursing ourselves for being so thick, and then desperately held our thumbs out at the few cars that were passing us. We had no idea where we were and we're in the middle of nowhere! 

Aside for being so stupid the first time, our luck must have been in because we were only there for ten minutes before an old man drove past us and then turned back around to get us because he was worried we wouldn't get a lift otherwise! 

He dropped us back into the centre of St Arnaud- a place I hope I do not end up again for the sheer fact that I keep ending up there by default! And then we started hitching for a lift again WITH our boots! 

Within ten minutes we were picked up again and unbelievably the 18year old driving was going straight through Hanmer! 

It took just over three hours to get here. We had to find somewhere to stay because our accommodation wasn't booked until Sunday and we'd got here way quicker than expected so we went to the iSite to find somewhere.

It was the last weekend of Summer holidays so everything was booked besides for the 'ForestCamp' 3km out of the city so we walked the 3km and arrived at the camp by about 4pm. 

The camp was a school camp (like Barton Hall) but it opens over he summer to the public. There were rows and rows of little tiny cabins all the same with just two single beds in each. It reminded us so much of school camp that it was actually quite fun staying there! 

We went out for dinner in the evening and ate real food!! Then had a few drinks with Renee, Dakota, Brandon, Pia and Brian. 

We also bumped into Steve and Immile (who were with us at Blue Lake and decided to go over the pass instead of coming back) and they told us they couldn't cross some of the rivers and only managed to get here because someone managed to drive them over. So Luke and I definitely made the right decision to not go! 

Day off - Hanmer Springs 

("I'm feeling 22..")

Had a lovely birthday weekend! We moved from the school camp to our hostel, Kakapo Lodge, which is really nice! On the Sunday morning, we went to the hot springs with everyone from the night before. It was really nice to just relax and not be in a hurry to get anywhere but he best part was my birthday treat that Luke booked for me - my hour long full body massage at the spring's spa! I got to wear towel slippers, a robe, and got to drink green tea and read magazines in a special relaxation room and everything! 

The massage was so good- I found it hard not to fall asleep! The masseuse did point out that there was 'a lot of tightness' in my legs which was not unexpected given the last few months activities. 

Luke met me outside once I'd made full use of every single moisturiser, lip balm, skin toner etc etc that was available and we went back to the hostel to cook steak! We had a bottle of red like sophisticated people and then met everyone for birthday drinks and drank some less sophisticated sounding 'shooters' (shots that don't really taste like shots because they have loads of sugary liquors in them) over a few games of pool. 

The worst thing about New Zealand is that everywhere shuts before 10pm but we managed to find the only place that stayed open until midnight (even though we were the only people there). 

On the way home, while I don't know why, I suggested we try and see how many people we could fit in the telephone box- apparently 7 people but we think a few more weeks on trail and we'll fit 8. It was probably a sign that it was time for home! 

The day after we had a reaaaaally relaxed day not really doing anything! We resupplied for the next section in the morning and then just spent the rest of the day eating and wondering around the little shops. 

I am still waiting for my card to arrive from Donna and Mark but I did receive a card from Grandma and Grandad, a card from everyone at home including a little message from Nanny, two drawings from Rosanna and some little gifts that I am VERY happy to receive! (I'm wearing my hair ties now and will be using my body scrub this evening) - feeling very very thankful:)!

My birthday meal of request was a Spaghetti Bolognese so we cooked the biggest one ever with garlic bread and cheese and it was LUSH! We even have spare for tomorrow's tea which will be a real treat since we'll be back on the trail. 

Now, Luke is reading an actual book (Agatha Christie - Poirot) and I am updating all my blog entries since I'm almost two weeks behind! Think I am just about done! 

So all in all, I have had a lovely weekend with phone calls from home and voicemails of everyone singing happy birthday that I keep listening to and am feeling very very spoilt and loved and miss everyone at home so much but am having a ball. 

P.s - looked at map today. We're so far down the South Island already!