Just a little bit fancy

March 27

Camp Bay Campsite to Furneaux Lodge

KM 1730

Distance: 11.5km 

Elevation: ascent 222m, descent 351m

Steps: 18,000

Time: 8:30am - 11:40am

Hardly a challenging day as you'll see from the stats. And the fact that we had finished a beer by 12:30 and were in a spa tub by 1:30 might give you the wrong impression about how challenging Te Araroa is. But I'm pretty sure we told you that the QCT section is flatter and a little more fancy than the rest. But yay, the bar was open this time! We had one last drink with Raewyn who finishes her TA journey tomorrow and heads home. It's been really enjoyable talking with her over the last few days, and getting a few gear suggestions from her. (We are also finishing this section tomorrow, but our ferry out is about 3 hours later than hers, which means that we can afford to stay further "into" the trail, while she had to walk almost to the end in order to make the earlier pickup time).

The surroundings and scenery were more of what we described yesterday. Except today the forest greens and sea blues changed with the moody and overcast sky which threatened to rain on us once or twice. We've also got a short video on YouTube so you can see what it's like to walk this section.

As an indication of the level of technicality of the QCT the sign below warns that the 20m section of track to the lodge will take 2 min. In the past that distance/time ratio would indicate a steep climb at some point. It would neccessitate us having a sit down and a snack before attempting the ascent. I think we made it to the lodge in about 30s.

Our cabin is basic and small, just enough room for a double bed. It's moderately expensive compared to equivalent rooms we've stayed in, but given the dire state of the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as the lodge's moderately remote location, we're happy to pay the extra. But you can be sure we're taking the complimentary hot chocolate sachets with us! (Those that we don't drink here, that is...)

The view from our room is pretty spectacular though. Across an arm of the Sounds to the forest clad hills beyond. And we got to watch a few guests delivered by helicopter to a grassed area near where you can see below. We watched this from the spa pool so, yeah, fancy.

At around 3:00 this afternon we were reunited with Linsey and her sister Christine, and met their other sister Sue. We'll be having drinks then dinner with them later tonight. It will be the last dinner on the trail with Linsey as she is not going on to the North Island.

Our minds are now really starting to turn to the North Island section.