tramping new zealand

This was my second full day at Slaughterburn Hut, and I was glad to be there.

Much of a gloomy day was spent reading the hut literature, of which there was considerable bulk in a box under a bunk.

My leg wasn’t much better, so I spent some time with it elevated.

Also, I went on a wood scavenger hunt and brought plenty back, which I then sliced up with my folding saw.

Did some vegetation clearing around the hut and down the track 100 m. Also walked 100 m through some lovely forest past the hut clearing.

The sun occasionally popped out, casting a splendid light in the forest. Have to say it really does look like Fiordland.

I reconciled my food supplies and found that I still had six dinners left, so there was no hurry to get out.

I got the fire going again in late morning to take the chill off, as the wall thermometer once again said 8° C. The hut windows didn’t have the same running condensation as the previous day, so the warmth yesterday must have dried the place out. Together with some ventilation.

The big parrots came back, and I’m calling them keas because of the green, not silvery or brown body, and plenty of orange under their wings. One of them stayed an hour dancing on the water tank and only finally flew off when it started raining.

I thought I could cope with a few more days of solitude, as I was really enjoying it.