Jelly beans!

Estuary bridge

lunchtime swim beach

looking back

Australian Hakea

Orchid

Unidentified red berry

Ink berry (used for Maori Ta moko)

Southern rata

The Halfway Pool

Lichen

Torrent Bay

Today’s feature image is the North island seen from our walk.

Day 3 (written up on Day 4) and we left Meadowbank Homestead for a 17 km trek to Torrent Bay Lodge. We crossed the huge Awaroa estuary at low tide before starting the first of many saddle climbs through the woods. We dropped down to the gorgeous sandy beach of Onetahuti and had a break for hot drinks. After that break it was another forest walk and series of hills before dropping once more down to Bark Bay where we stopped for lunch and I swam. The final section of the day we again walked up, through forest, occasionally above the coast, we crossed the swing bridge over the Falls River, passed a beautiful dipping pool (if it had not been for the faff of undressing and dressing again I would have been tempted to dip in what I suspect are its very cold waters. [Temptation such that Janis and I are probably going to go back there this afternoon].

The views were indeed breathtaking, though most of us were somewhat breathless already from the climbs. It would be interesting to know what the changes have been to the Abel Tasman Track over the years. Many of us had expected lower more costal walks but the occasional shakes and landslips have eroded some of the track and it feels as if a decision has been made to take parts of it further inland which entails climbing over saddles.

Talking of shakes we had a little one last night. In my inexperienced English way, my first thought was that the Lodge was pretty poorly build if it rattled like that when guests went upstairs to bed.

It has been strange being away while London responds to the Westminster terrorist attack but that little shake reminded me of how powerless we are over big events, natural and man made. So as I write this I am taking a moment to be grateful to be alive, in the most beautiful of surroundings and grateful that close friends and family are safe. When I go out for my swim in a few minutes I will swim for those who cannot, especially those who died in Westminster.