Wednesday 13th February 2019 - onto Knobs Flat

One of the advantages of this camping lark is that you are much more in sync with the daylight hours. So, as our bunkhouse had nothing at the windows to block out the light, I was awake as dawn was breaking and up soon after. It was worth it! Although it would be another couple of hours before we would see the sun come over the mountains, you could see that the day was clear and the clarity of light on the snow capped mountains was awesome.

Maybe not the best of photos but it gives you an idea!

It was then an hours drive to Wanaka, including the very bumpy track that we had driven up yesterday, and then we had the delight of 90 minutes to ourselves! What should we do with it?! It was late morning so no other option really than find a coffee shop! So many to choose from, but this one did very good cake so we had 2 coffees each plus a piece of cake each. We had earned it! 😋

I had hoped to add a photo but something is amiss and I can’t! You will have to wait until I can sort it out!

Got it! The river in the valley on the walk to and from Aspiring Hut.

Lake Wanaka is beautiful. Large and surrounded by mountains. In the sunshine it looked idyllic. We had time for our picnic lunch on the shore - Adrienne had been shopping again! - and some of our number went swimming. Not Geoff today - too much hassle in trying to locate his swimming gear!

We then had a very long drive, or rather Adrienne did, to Knobs Flat. To do this we went south to Queenstown, then further south before turning west, more or less to Te Anau, and then back north again, heading for Milford Sound, arriving at about 6.30pm. For us in the back it was interesting watching the scenery change - from the dominant and dramatic mountains to smaller, greener mountains, wider valleys, more agricultural land and a much more open landscape. And then as we began to get nearer our destination, the mountains of Fiordland National Park coming into view and changing the scenery again.

Look at a map of the South Island and you will see that the distance between Mount Aspiring and Knobs Flat is not that great as the crow flies. Aspiring hut is even closer!

Knobs Flat is a campsite and we are here for 2 nights which is very exciting when you have been on the move every day. This is also the last time we have to pitch our tents - just when we are beginning to get a bit more organised and used to it! We are glad to have showers here after 2 hot days and a lot of miles. But no phone or 4G so totally out of contact. At least you can switch off your phone knowing that there is no point in leaving it on!

Tonight I am sitting in the tent writing up my hand written copy by the light of the head torch. The wind is getting up so I hope we have done a good job in erecting it! Sadly the rain is starting up too and we know the forecast for tomorrow is not good. I’m hoping it’s wrong! Good night!