Day 45

We woke up pretty late that day and had the DOC supervisor coming to check if we paid our fees. It was pretty hot this morning like all the past few days. We seemed to finally be in summer and kept having sun everyday. We drove a little to start the wisp loop track. We walked less time than expected by the sign but it was very nice. We followed the river through forest and walked up and down a lot. Jack enjoyed at the end the dangerous little swing bridge made of metal. Back at Owaka, we had lunch and wifi, leaving Esther for a bit after washing dusty Sue. We thought Cannibal Bay wasn’t worth looking at and we went to do the Pounawea Bush walk. We got a little confused by the track and probably missed half of it. The sun was nice though and a big boat was sitting on the sand at low tide. We had a look at tunnel hill with our powerful torch and kept driving to Kaka Point.Then we headed to Nugget Point and the lighthouse but got stuck in traffic and dusty/rocky roadwork. Lots of tourists up there but the little walk was worth it. We could see some seals and sea lions lying on the rocks even if it would have been better with binoculars. The cliffs and the small islands we could see from the lighthouse were quite pretty, surrounded by a turquoise ocean.

On our way back we waited, hidden, to see some rare yellow-eyed penguins. Sadly, didn’t see any as they were nesting at this period of the year.At Kaka point we did the Kaka point bush walk after getting an ice cream and then searched for another track for a while before giving up. I messaged Esther to catch up with her but she was enjoying the beach with sea lions at Cannibal Bay. We kept driving to a mystery point in our booklet which probably was a nursery closed at this time of the day. Finally arriving in Balclutha (still no reception… damn 2degree!), we shopped, had a few snacks, played at the playground while waiting for Esther still at the lighthouse. When she arrived we shared our video’s/pictures of the day and had yummy warm Thai food. Playing a little at the kids area before leaving when Jack hut his butt after slamming into the post on flying fox! Bad injury, I went to get the car and drove us to the low cost camping ground near a river while Esther stayed in town for wifi. At Kaitangata, we played a little more and fought against all the mosquitoes before falling asleep.

Entree Written By Marianne