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Published: March 28th 2009
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1/3/09 = A v.rainy day at Arthurs Pass
Woke up early in our little shed so that we could catch bus to Arthurs Pass. Didn’t want to get out of our layers of blankets and face the cold, dark morning, but after 10mins of snoozing, had to give it up. Rushed off to toilet, which was in another outdoor shed, then got changed, packed up and set off at 7:50. Only had to go across road and wait outside ‘The Catering Company’, so not a long journey. Pleased to see that sun was now shining and no rain; hope it stays this way. Said goodbye to the shed with the leaky roof (floor at bottom of bed wet through this morning), then rode out, passed rainbow and onto other side of road. Couldn’t find the famous Catering Company and after 5 stressful minutes of pedaling up and down, discovered that the Catering Company was actually The Pie Shop…bit of a difference! Waited there until bus driver came a little late and then rudely asked us why we weren’t ready. Didn’t understand him, but it seems we were supposed to have taken front wheels off bikes so that they would fit
into trailer. Nobody had told us that and we didn’t even know how to take front wheels off! He begrudgingly helped us decapitate bikes, then we clambered on and set off for Arthurs Pass.
Was only a one hour journey to Arthurs, but it was an hour of amazing scenery. Drove the beautiful mountains, through valleys and over streams. Even minibus struggled to get up some of hills; good job we didn’t try and bike it. Looked all the more pretty when we turned a corner and saw a giant rainbow that spanned the whole valley. Not v.often I have seen a full rainbow…there are always Bellway houses in the way at home! Beautiful scenery and hope we get to ride through views like that…just without the hills that’s all.
By time got to Arthurs, was throwing down rain again. He dropped us right outside YHA (hope they have a room), helped us put wheels on bikes again (we didn’t have a clue) and we trundled over to office with fingers crossed. Thankfully they did have a room and we could pay for it on card. We both had v.little money and no cash machines in Arthurs…hope everywhere
takes card?! Packed bikes away in shed, then went into only other building in town to buy milk for breakfast still not had. The building = a giant café and cupboard sized shop that was ridiculous. Shop consisted of 2 shelves of food, a freezer full of ice creams and a stacking unit full of crisps and chocolate; all of which were outrageously expensive. Food was basically bread, milk and pasta…and 7 different varieties of jam?!? Bought milk and counted up money for lunch and dinner…even coins. Not a good time to run out of money!
Had lovely porridge (tasted extra nice because was so hungry) and it warmed me right through with cup of tea. Still throwing it down outside; like really heavy rain. YHA hostel = perfect place to be in rain. Had a lovely, huge wood burner in centre of room and huge comfy sofas all around it. Could have cosied up and settled for rest of day…or at least until rain stopped, but surely can’t stay in all day when in middle of a national park full of mountains and lakes? Equally, couldn’t walk in rain that was that heavy…definitely wouldn’t be fun. Wood burner
made decision a lot harder to make! Was only 10:30, couldn’t stay in all day. Decided to wait until rain calmed even a little and in meantime, would read magazine next to cosy fire. Read, chatted, chilled out; was just like a normal Sunday…except knew I would need to go out sooner or later. Went on internet, did some washing (fire = perfect for drying clothes) and Deb had a nap. Did some more reading, then late afternoon, rain slowed a little and could no longer stay in, so woke Deb up and headed for short walk of Devils Punchbowl (only an hour). Changed from trousers to shorts (know it sounds crazy, but legs = more waterproof than linen trousers), put mac on and headed off into cold rain.
Still raining heavy, so walked with heads down over windy track and bridges. Already seen loads of waterfalls, so hope this one is worth it. Although, never seen one as high as this = 131ms. Surprised when we met loads and loads of endless steps. We were only supposed to be walking to base of waterfall, surely that would be at ground level? Why were we walking up? But in
true NZ style, we walked up several steep steps and then climbed down several hills to get back to same level we started at; they love their ups and downs here! Really impressed with falls when got there; definitely never seen any that high. It was worth the rainy walk, especially because it only took 20mins. Had a gander from the insides of our hoods - peripheral vision limited - then did the 20min walk back. Got back to hostel at 5pm and surprised to see how busy it was. Quickly grabbed a spot on the sofa and sat there, in comfort of fire, reading for hours. At 7:45, decided it was time to make dinner = boring rice and sauce, with nothing else in it…was all we could afford 😞. Actually, was surprised at how tasty it was and ate it all = another giant portion…getting a bit out of control with these portion sizes!
Finished book after 9pm (Wives and Lovers = good book), did another 2hours on internet (still nowhere near caught up), then shiftied off to bed at midnight. Deb was already asleep and I drifted off pretty much straight away too.
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