Our last day in the mountains and our last morning waking up in our tent. We can pack up more quickly now and soon we were farewelling our friends.

The walk down was a pleasant day walk. At first following the side of the Fern Burn valley, then through beechwood and finally farmland.

At the car park we met up with Hoera again and plodded down the 4WD road together, until we reached Glendhu Bay motor camp for lunch. I had my marinated noodles with carrot and cashews while they ate pies and muffins.

Then Martyn and I set off on the 16km lakeside track to Wanaka. Hoera preferred to hitch.  After 6 or 7 km the mountain bike friendly track was very hard going in walking boots, but we persevered and arrived in Wanaka nine hours after leaving the hut.

We waited in the wind for “friend of a friend” Amanda, who took us first to New World and then to her large, newly built home where we were given an ensuite room. After showers, I really enjoyed my dinner of potatoes with plenty of butter, omelette, lettuce and cucumber followed by banana, yogurt and maple syrup. And the best GnT of the trip!

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