Rakiura

Dear all

Stewart Island is a huge draw for trampers (walkers to you and I) as it hosts the great 29km Rakiura track (3 days), the North West Circuit 125Km (10-12days) & the 56km southern Circuit track which branches off the NW circuit adding four days.  I have to say we generally seen to be doing about 6-8km of walking a day here, but it is usually broken down into a few short walks so we really didn't think that any of the above were an option. However I am really starting to get into this and today we went on our longest single walk since we got here. The DOC here is really helpful and there are a dozen plus short walks radiating from their office which are from 2 hours to a full day. We decided to combine a half day walk with another short walk which would take about 5 hours and cover about 12km. The route was magical and took us undulating through the the coastal vegetation to Ryans Creek and around the northern side of the Paterson Inlet. There were loads of birds again on the track &  warblers, Tui's and Bellbirds accompanied us in song as we walked. We then took another track from Golden bay around the southern side of the Inlet to Deep bay, which had a really pretty Beach.

 I really enjoyed the walk and probably could have gone a few km's further down the point to the Ackers lighthouse, but Dean had had enough and so we looped back down the hill to Oban. Back in the town we collapsed in the pub and had a bite to eat. As we speak we are still there waiting for the ferry back to Bluff (no alcohol is being consumed shock horror!). We will then try and flit over to Riverton tonight so we can start our trek up the Western coast and heading for Milford Sound. I am definitely pooped now so am glad Dean insisted we finished when we did. However I think this is something I may start to pursue when I get home - oh no I'm starting to turn into my father. I will leave you with a little rib tickler that was on the condom machine in the ladies toilets in here..............................

'Satsfaction not guaranteed'!

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Sara