Today was our last full day in North Canterbury. What started as big desert farmland turned into areas of tropical landscapes and beech forest.
It seems that we have met most of the South Bounders (SoBo) and counted about 30. 4 more passed us today. 3 were from the US. After lunch we met two men hiking toward Arthur's Pass. One had lost his wife back in October. He said the the forest was his church.
The Hope-Kiwi Hut had some information about the sandflies which are actually black flies. 3 types are in New Zealand with the worst ones (West Coast Black Flies) in the South Island only. The females bite and they live only 7 weeks. Their home is the grass near water which is where we seem to always camp. Sometimes I think it raining, but it's only the sandflies bouncing off our tent. They try and steal our warmth. Shadow and I have 2 different ways of killing them. I like the smash and smear method where he prefers the 2 handed clap method.
The hut was located in the most beautiful valley. Tall straw covered the floor. A stream zigzagged through, with rocky mountains as protection. Shadow and I discussed how living here would give us no reason to ever leave. A few more weeks and maybe we will have seen the last of them.
A quick 7 miles to the road, then a 25 mile hitch into town for a day off.
Sunrise
Our Valley
Country Mouse and Shadow
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