SI= South Islans
New years day
Altogether the hangover wasn’t too bad, mainly just tired. I was in Nelson with Tika and her boyfriend to celebrate New Year’s Eve
I got up earlier than I wanted because I still needed to pack my food box to be sent to St Arnaud. It fitted exactly in a wine box. Which means it’s way too much for 6 days. But who cares? Oh wait I do because need to carry it. But that’s a problem for after the Queens Charlotte Track (QCT) and the Richmond Ranges.
After breakfast, Tika drove me to Picton where I would catch the water taxi to the start of QCT. I wouldn’t walk far as I only arrived in the mid-afternoon and was tired.
The 6 km was so lovely and feeling strong I overtook many other hikers who got off the water taxi before me. This is also useful because it’s partly booked online and partly first come first serve. Plus dibs on the best spots.
On top of the hill, I chatted with a Dutch couple that kayaked to the start. What an epic idea. Unfortunately last night on New Year’s it was stormy and their tent pole broke. Guess I’m not the only one with a shittie tent.
I made it to camp in great time. Found a gorgeous spot overlooking the sound. As I was lazy I snacked first before deciding I did need to eat dinner, by then I was already full, but I had to stuff it on top. Also, the Weka (flightless cheeky New Zealand bird) stole a bag of fried onions. So I had to chase him into the bush to get it back.
For the first time, I also had actually time to read a lot of my book. And by the time it was bedtime, I was so drawn in, that I had to finish it. So around midnight, I could finally go to sleep.
Zilla-in-the-wild 