Went back to Big River for more chatting and to see that the other two crossed safely. The river was slightly shallower but was still flowing swiftly.
I just love wandering along those beaches so I kept going, the tide was right out, around past the lighthouse which is sitting up from some carved limestone cliffs. Passed a few seals doing their sack race to the water, where they are immediately transformed into graceful ballet stars.
But I just about drowned both cameras trying to get around some rocks so headed back.
I looked at fixing my sleeping mat again and found that there were more leaks down one seam and at random points. It’s a goner but rather than abandoning it I thought I’d take it for emergency use, I won’t be in the tent much, most of the rest of the trip is gonna be in huts.
Later in the afternoon I found an obscure track to go over the top to the beach to the south of the lighthouse. Due to my substandard footwear, I was wearing jandals, I failed to actually make it to the lighthouse. I just wondered how on earth there were four-wheel drive tire tracks on the beach to the south, maybe it was an exceptionally low tide a few days ago but I don’t think I would be driving any expensive truck around those rocks.
So the night by myself. I didn’t really notice.
Actually I did a fair amount of walking during the day but for once it was without my pack.
A guide to the night’s accommodation: Kahurangi Keepers Hut
