"Down the South West coast through more trees than there are numbers, with lovely views over the Tasman Sea ending, unfortunately, in the wretched hive of scum and villainy known as Haast Township - seriously, don't even stop for gas, and buy your groceries literally anywhere else, I'd never imagined there could be people on these islands as bloodthirsty and pernicious as the sand flies, the pirates - then on to a campground on the Pleasant Flag - which would have been absolutely pleasant, except for the aforementioned sand flies (I'm beginning to think that ready access to blood-seeking parasites is part of the design spec for camping grounds). Day Six up before the dawn (but not before the biters!) and on through the Haast Pass to try and beat the rain to Wanaka. Lovely place (and great veggie pies), but us both desperate for a bath and a good night's rest we book a hotel 300km on in Dunedin. On through Cromwell (hello, Big Fruit!) and Clyde (Dam!) and Roxbrough (sore-assed fruit stand peaches!) and then on to picturesque little Lawrence (the veg toastie at the Wild Walnut was delicious, especially with the gherkin relish) and on for another hour and a half to arrive, broken in Dunedin, where we promptly get lost circling the Octogon. Baths, laundry, and thoughts of setting up the tent to let it dry in front of the television, then out for delirious curry, and good night to more than 400 kilometers in a day!" (MM)
