To Manapouri

We left Te Anau not really knowing where we'd end up but had thought maybe Cromwell. We got to Fairlight where David discovered a fishing spot behind the old station. There is fishing system on the Upper Mataura called beats. I'll post a photo so you can read about them. We thought it a good way to manage a fishery that there'd been some squabbling about. As we left it began to drizzle so decided to explore up the Nokomai Road. David was given a beautiful painting by a lovely friend, some years ago, and we wanted to see the landscape it was based on. Well, we discovered a gorgeous valley with a really beautiful freedom camping area for self contained MHs and caravans. It's on private farmland. Generous farmers! The photo doesn't do it justice, it was raining!
There are 2 clusters of enchanting fishing huts that really do remind you that life can be very simple.
We ended up at the Lumsden NZMCA camp for the night.
Next morning we drove to Manapouri NZMCA and really didn't do a thing! Read, socialized and had a very lazy day but made up for it on Saturday. David fished at beautiful Supply Bay and despite my chanting; Here fishy fish fish... there were none to be had! It was a GORGEOUS day! We drove into the start of the Kepler Track and walked some of the river track that takes you through to Dock Bay. Beautiful native beech forest with glimpses of the river as you rise and fall along the way. The significant thing about this track is the VERY stable swing bridge at the start of it. I even stopped for a selfie in the middle of it and David did not need to stand guard at the end of it!
Yesterday was wet wet wet! Did the laundry and used a dryer, first time in forever, then binge watched a series on Netflix. The Residence. It was ok.
Today we've discovered the Home Creek Riparian Walkway right behind the NZMCA camp here in Manapouri. It's a loop track that's up and down but really lovely and David scoped out possible fishing sites. He'll go back tomorrow for look.Read more