I ended yesterday's blog by saying we were looking forward to our walk today. Well we had a walk but got rather more than we'd bargained for. We were looking forward to the Lake District, we got the Scottish Highlands.

We'd seen what looked like a good walk on the map. Circular - unusual in New Zealand, good tracks - many old miner's tracks by the looks of it. Yes it went up to 1200m but we would be starting at over 300 so no problem there. The only issue was that it was not on any of the walks leaflets for the area. So I asked at the camp shop. That would be because it was new I was told. But it was a lovely walk, no need for a map. Oh and watch out for the interpretation boards marked by miner's shovels. Except for no 3 which seemed to have mysteriously disappeared.

Well she was right about the map. Easy enough to see where we were going. The difficulty was getting there. Tracks on the map didn't always mean obvious tracks on the ground. And when we did find it it sensibly followed the fence. Except that the fence followed the maxim - 'the shortest distance between two points is a straight line'. So a straight line it followed - and much of the time that meant going directly up improbably steep grass slopes. When we did finally struggle to the top we discovered that even old miner's tracks can fall into disuse and become virtually impassable. And river crossings are stressful affairs even when it is autumn and the water level is as low as it gets.

So a walk I reckoned would take us, oh six hours, took us eight. And much sweating and swearing. But when we had got down and were having a cold beer we both agreed it was worth it.

Now what about tomorrow? here we are. 'Glenorchy board walk - a gentle stroll around the village and lagoon. One hour'. Sounds perfect. Wonder where we can hire some ice axes and crampons?

And the shovels? Well strangely we did find no 3. But not nos 1,2,4,5,6...