tramping new zealand

I lay in bed early on, contemplating options.

Option 1 was to visit Cookie Hut, an hour and a half downstream. That would take up the morning, and then I could return to the car park.

Option 2 was to postpone the return aspect and enjoy a second night at Tribulation Hut. This would mean I had to find somewhere to spend another night before Friday’s predicted rain, which I had planned to avoid by spending a couple of nights in Twizel.

No hurry. I might as well enjoy where I was situated, rather than rush somewhere else.

It was cold pulling on my wet socks and boots, but soon I was away, striding across the river shingle.

From a distance, it looked like someone was in occupation at Cookie Hut, and so it proved. Two guys and someone’s adult daughter.

They were removing roof nails, replacing a smashed window, and painting the window and door woodwork.

I stayed for a chat which stretched for an hour and a half, and finally returned to my pack and lunch. The sun was shining brightly, and the nor’wester was blowing strongly.

Less than an hour or on the return.

Not much was happening in the afternoon, although it was 2 pm when I returned. Lunch was late, and dinner was early.

The wind dried my shoes and socks in a hurry.

I did some work on the track down to the river and removing grass from around the front door.

An early morning would be required for the following day, so an early night would be helpful.

Somehow, it felt like sleep would come speedily.