Day 68 - Smiths Farm

Another gorgeous morning, on top of the Marlborough Sounds. Except my sleeping mat which went flat in the night, again. Annoyingly I put my fourth patch into it. 

Today continued very similarly as it did yesterday. Riding the top of the ridge, up and down the saddles, offering great views to either side. 

The dead trees are Wildling Pine. A invasive species that local environmental groups are poisoning. 

11am photo, walking up a side track to a look out point. 

I descended down back to ocean level. Which was great because it meant swimming again. After going to the bathroom in a 50°C outhouse I immediately went for a swim in the bay. Beautiful blue water. 

A few kilometres down track I hit the settlement of Anakiwa. A gorgeous bay where I went for more longer swims and jumping off the docks with the locals. I great way to relax after finishing the Queen Charolette. 

I wandered to last 4 kilometres to a farmstead that acts as a sort of Holiday Park. Here the host gave us warm muffins and oranges when I arrived. Legends. A hot shower where I washed some clothes, and some planning for the days ahead. I’m heading into the remoter Richmond ranges soon, so service, and uploads, will be a bit dodgier for a while.