Once we'd unglued ourselves from the magical northwest,
we headed to the mountains and thermal springs at Lewis Pass. It
rained all day. This made ape of plans to take the four wheel drive route
from Lake Rotoroa through to Murchison. The first of four higher than
average stream crossings had us turn back to safer ground.
Picture us later that drive, in rain, with cellphone, having Bruce (in
Wellington, also on cellphone, and on his bike), direct us to an unmarked cliff of leaf fossils on Mangles Valley Road and instruct us how to crack the rocks to find them.
The continuing rain, and clouds of sandflies, kept us from enjoying the
remote hot pools in the Lewis River, but not from a long soak with convivial company in
the well appointed Maruia Springs.
Gloomy conditions left little opportunity for scenic shots for a day or two.
But cows know how to enjoy themselves.
