Tour Day 9 (Mar 5th)

Blenheim to Reefton (257km)

My initial impressions of the South Coast are good. With sandy coloured grass covered mountains in the distance on one side and forest covered mountains on the other, separated by flat farming and grape growing fields. Again the flat areas gave way to rivers and streams (and sometimes a single rail track) before reverting back to fields and open plains.

After lunch we visited an 'adventure' centre. This consisted of a high swing bridge which I navigated successfully with minimal fear ... okay, a fair amount of fear. Some of the group went on a jet boat ride, but I gave this a miss as I'm sure they wouldn't have wanted to see my lunch again. 

Then to the hotel which is a little more basic than last night's. It does have running water and electricity ... as well as communal showers and toilets, but little more. My fire exit is out of the window and onto a metal walkway.

We discovered one of the evils of New Zealand today ... sand flies. They like to eat you, slurp on your blood and do not appear to have any concerns about death. Splatting them just shows how much of your blood is now missing.