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Monday 6th May 2013
I slept really well, having fallen asleep reading. I woke just before my alarm, but put it on snooze to start with. I got out of bed and grabbed a shower, most of my room was still asleep, but I decided to get up a bit earlier to have my shower as there was only 1 shower in our area. I had my shower and got dressed. I packed my bags and stripped my bed, most of the room was still asleep. I then went and had my breakfast, a banana and some crumpets. From now on it was sensible and good eating. After I had breakfast and washed up my things and went back to my room to put the last few things in my bags. I then went and used the Internet again and asked my parents to order some flowers for Sue as I unsure if I had Internet for a while and I was concerned she was going on holiday. I did however forget again to email Stray about staying in Wellington. Pinky said about staying on the way up, but I wasn't feeling 100% about the bus, so thought maybe a new group would be a good idea. It was soon 8.45am and I loaded my bags into the bus and went to check my bed again to make sure I have everything. Soon the bus was filling up. We had to wait for one girl (the one girl that had been annoying me) who was a little late. But soon we were on the road and picked up some newbies and started our drive to the National Park. The drive took the best part of the morning, we had one toilet stop mid morning. I spent my time trying to snooze and occasionally reading. The reading really didn't help my travel sickness as we started on some winding roads, but I was getting into my book and wanted to read the chapter. We entered the national park. The park is the oldest one in New Zealand and is made up of mainly bush and mountains. There were three main mountains in the park. Pinky told us about the Maori stories that were the history of the mountains. I couldn't see much of the park as we drove through as the windows were fogged up and there was rain on the windows. We stopped off at our hostel for the next night to pick up linen for the Blue Duck Station (where we were staying tonight). The road got bendier and bendier as we continued our journey. We eventually arrived at the farm, piled off the bus and into the cafe/reception, where we were given a well needed cup of tea. We were given an introduction into this lodge, it's work (a working farm and conservation) and effects and causes of the bush ecosystem. We were also told about the Blue Duck, a endangered native bird in New Zealand, which is in more trouble than the kiwi. After this we paid for our rooms and made our way 100m up the road to our accommodation. It was a lovely wooden terrace of rooms. 3 bedrooms, each sleeping around 6, 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette and common area with a wood burner. Once in rooms and bags unpacked from the bus, I got myself ready for a walk and ate my packed lunch. I had asked about helping on the farm, but that was a no go. The weather still wasn't great, so the walking boots and waterproofs came out to play. A group of us went for a walk in the national park. The weather was holding for the time being as we started our walk. It was a nice walk along a cycle track, past horses, cattle and sheep. Some of the animals were even on the track. Due to the rain the track was very muddy and wet. The scenery was stunning, even in the grey clouds, mountains, hills and trees surrounding everywhere. I was talking to ones to Swiss girls as we walked. I then spoke to Lenka from Slovakia. At one point she needed to take off her jumper and we lost the others in our group. But we continued to walk. The path wound around and up and down, we continued to walk past the falls and the depot. We passed more animals and bee hives. After about an hour and a half we thought it was strange we hadn't seen the others and I assumed they may have stopped off at the depot and we simply walked past them. We decided to head back. By now the rain had started again and for about 20mins it was quite heavy. On the way back just after we crossed the bridge again (it was a lovely shaky suspension bridge, which easily swings), we saw a slope down to the falls which we missed. We went down to the waters edge. We decided the others most have walked down here and then we passed them. It didn't matter, it just meant we walked for maybe 40-60mins more (which to be honest would be good for me). The walk was lovely and it was nice to be out and about, although my hip flex was feeling a little sore.
Once back at the lodge at around 5.30pm, I made myself a cup and ate the last piece of cake I got from the Smith's over a week ago. People were already eating their dinner or starting to cook. I wasn't hungry but there was a film showing at 7pm, so I needed to eat before then, and because we were planning to do the crossing tomorrow I needed to eat. I ate some more noodles, with mushrooms, onion and ham. I then had a cuppa with some apricots and yoghurt. Just before 7pm I headed down to the cafe/reception for the film. I managed to get a seat on the sofa. We were watching 'Once were Warriors', a New Zealand film. All the staff from the station also came to watch, apparently it was their first film night.
The film was quite dark about abuse and struggles in a New Zealand family with a Mario link. It was a good film, even if a little violent. Once the film was finished and there was a few comments about the film (apparently the book is darker but the squeal is lighter). I headed back to our rooms and got my lunch and bag ready for tomorrow, as we had been given the go ahead for the crossing walk (it did look a little doubtful at times due to the weather) and it was a 6.30am departure. I packed food, water and some cold gear. I then packed my main bag so the morning would be as simple as possible. Once all settled I made myself a cup of tea and had 2 biscuits. I then wrote my diary (I was determined to keep my days up-to-date, and hopefully some catch up) whilst a few others played cards in the kitchen common room. Just before 11pm I headed I bed, I had a feeling I was going to sleep well tonight.
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