New Zealand – Lewis Pass

I left Richmond and had a rather lazy drive south on route 6. I stopped for second breakfast ( I make no apology for Lord of the Rings references) at Karatiri Historic Rail walk. The walk is only 20 minutes but it occurred to me how spooky and lonely it is and I did not have have phone coverage.

My main destination was Maruia Srings and the Lewis Pass on route 7 but, I was passing some stunning places.

Marble Hill was just beautiful and again a very lonely camp site. Yes I’m considering camping in my car.
Maruia Springs was a disappointment, its a spa and at $40 for the privilege I decided I would have a drink in their tea room and terrace. Actually this turned out well as there is a chanel of warm sulphurous water running along the terrance that I could dip my hands in. There is a black algae that grows in the water that is meant to be beneficial to eat. I didn’t fancy it!
I seem to be fascinating to bees here. While sat on the Springs beautiful terrace I was was visited by three Bumblebees who hovered and eventually landed on me. I have no idea why, maybe the colour of my shirt? Who knows? I was a bit worried about crushing their little fuzzy bodies. I had the honey bees the other day, perhaps they know my blogging name!

After my tea I wondered if I should go back to Marble Hill to camp in my car but as there was no signal and no way of letting my family know where I was, I kept going.
So tonight camping in my car at Boyles camp site. There are other people camping here and there’s a signal on my phone. I have food, water and my sleeping bag.
I went for a walk for about an hour and its so beautiful, I didn’t see anyone else. I was not worrying about snakes because there aren’t any so I wandered down to the river.

So I’m sleeping in my car, its an adventure after all.
I’ve washed in the river what more can I want, well maybe no sand flies, bloody things! I have insect repellent where no one should have it (it stings) and still they find a pin prick area I missed! Night Night!