Day 6: Descending Robert's Ridge

The morning was very cool. We set out with a slight increase up the ridge and then it leveled off for sometime. It started out with boulder hiking again for a few hours and then it turned into a barren trail. Oh was it winding and chilly on the ridge. There were clouds ahead and I was hoping they would move in so I could be in them, but they blew off. Our view was massive green valley's below as we were well above the treeline. We then had lunch in a small shed with school children running amuck as we were now only approx. one hour from the end of the trail and our steep descend. The trail quickly went from being totally exposed with the wind blowing to hiding in the forest going through all three types of birch trees. We were greeted by Steve with a cold beer - of course it wasn't my type but I drank it. Some light summer beer as it was the end of summer but still very chilly. Now it was on to meet up with our sea kayakers and a quick shower in the National Park's facilities which cost us a couple of NZ dollars - the best two dollars I have spent!

Back in the bus/van for our drive out to the west coast. We make a brief stop in the town of Murchison for a latte or in my case a long black. As we are enjoying our coffees I notice the butchery across the way, "#1 Bacon, 100% New Zealand". Dan our guide notices this as well and to our delight he purchased 22 raschers of bacon, the measurement is still in use in NZ, England, Australia and I am sure other English derived countries. 100% New Zealand means that it was of all New Zealand. There were over 100 entries and this was from the middle section. The nice thing about NZ bacon is that you get a bit of ham with each slice.

We drove onto dinner of fish and chips and national icon if you will...no I had chicken and it was good. And remember chips are fries and crisps are potato chips. We came across two gypsy vehicles and the Gypsies that went with them. Tonight we stay in Punakaiki (pancake).