We were up before the generator was on - it was easily light enough to see - and the view outside to the Clinton River and cloud draped mountains beyond was, despite the drizzle, inspiring! We were the first into make our sandwiches, have a cup of tea and await breakfast, we were soon to be followed by an Australian couple - Lesley, who was celebrating her up coming 60th birthday and husband Dennis, a larger than life character, who became known to all, especially the guides as 'Dennis the Menace'. Stoked up on porridge followed by fruit and yoghurt I got myself ready for today's walk - 10 miles to Pompolona lodge. Kelly checked our packs were on properly, tightened the straps - that was more comfortable - and we were good to go so we left around 0830. It was still raining, but only lightly, so we had rain gear on until it brightened up later in the morning. After a short distance we passed the site of McKinnons first hut before our first interlude, a 2 minute side walk, to view an area of wetland vegetation - we left our packs by the sign and afterwards returned, collected them and continued along the well defined Milford Track.
At intervals I took photos of the track, the river and the mountains - I had to capture the memories as this is something you only do once.
Just before the lunch stop we saw some independent walkers looking at a brown bird which popped out of the undergrowth and onto the track, coming quite close, seemingly unconcerned by humans, and proding the ground for food - it was a weka - the bird that eluded us on Stewart island. After several photos of the weka on we went to the lunch stop; at the hut Kelly was already dispensing hot drinks to the two couples who arrived before us. We sat in the sun and ate our sandwiches - I had put beetroot in my egg sandwiches and they were scrummy - the colour leakage was slightly disconcerting but the taste was delicious - a combination to be remembered! After lunch we headed off up the track, I was a little sad as despite warnings of Keas undoing zips on rucksacks and removing sandwiches none were around - the bird I wanted to see still eluded me........but as we walked down a wide U shaped valley I did hear and see one flying across the valley which made up for it.
We detoured off the track to see Hidden Lake - which had been caused by an avalanche; it had unusually dirty water as a result of the debris in the avalanche - all the other water we have seen has been clean and crystal clear - we could even see the brown trout without great effort. On the lake were a couple of diving ducks which I later identified as New Zealand scaup. Enroute we also saw robins, tomtits and riflemen. Not long after leaving the lake we got our first glimpse of the McKinnon pass - which we should be on top of tomorrow. The sky had now cleared to reveal a blue rather than grey colour. We continued on to Pompolona lodge in lovely sunshine, crossing a very rocky avalanche induced route deviation - with orange poles helping us chart our course across a wide rock filled river bed - our reward at the other side was a kea, today's picture, which we watched for 5-10 minutes digging out roots with its strong well adapted beak and eating them whilst clasped firmly in its claws - just as we had seen the Kaka do with peanuts.
A few minutes later we arrived at the lodge - it was 1330 - we had done well and were looking forward to hot showers and a clothing change. We were again warned about the kea's who had recently stolen someone's sandwiches from their pack, removed people's boots and opened the sliding lounge door and made a mess of the area - clearly birds not to be tangled with!
John did some washing - to keep his hand in - and put it in their very effective drying rooms - it was dry before many of the walkers arrived - and everyone was back by @ 3.30. We all tucked into date scones, cream and jam - many of us drank copious amounts of the on tap tea, coffee and milo while several imbibed stronger pick me ups when the bar opened at 5pm. Pre dinner we had a short slide show and briefing. Dinner was at 1850 - tonight, I had the lentil casserole and John had chicken both of which were very good. After a final cup of milo we made our way to bed as did many others - as it is our big climbing day tomorrow and if the weather is right it will be wet! It was still light but my head hit the pillow just after 9pm and I was asleep within minutes.