Saturday 10th May - Day 97

A routine that becomes the norm begins: quick shower, breakfast, sweep, tidy up and clean the campervan and get ready to drive to the next site.

The lay-by we have parked on has a walk coming off it called 'the chasm walk' which heads into the forest. We decide to try the walk before we move off. It leads us through the forest and to a pretty running stream and a bridge. It's very quiet pretty and idyllic and we take a few photographs.

A little bird (a robin) appears and starts stamping his foot very quickly. It's standing on the footsteps we have just taken. Then it pecks on the ground and pulls out grubs to eat. It doesn't seem too bothered by us. In fact, it's within a metre of me and next to my rucksack that I have just put on the floor. For the next 5 minutes or so he has us transfixed watching him. We are at one with nature. He flies up and perches on my bag - wow. Then he spoils it all by doing a big poop. Thanks little robin.

We go back to the campervan and I drive a little further along Arthurs pass. Another walk takes us to see a waterfall. Again quite pretty.

We drive on and get to a campsite - Jackson's retreat. it turns be one of, if not the best, campsite we stay at in New Zealand. There are showers, a kitchen and a lounge. Everything is in brand new condition. And tonight there are no other guests on the site.