Still raining when we woke. Leisurely start to the day - jobs all done & ready to leave by 10am, but sat in the warmth of the main lounge until quarter to 11, hoping to be able to feed the fish & turtles! Eventually drove away, but only as far as the local supermarket (again!) to stock up on supplies. D remembered that last night's leftovers were still in the fridge, so a quick return trip to Neptune's was called for!

As we left Greymouth, we saw flooded fields on either side of the fast flowing & swollen Grey river, & passed an ambulance & police cars assisting somebody, at the river side. 35km north of Greymouth, we stopped at Punakaiki, to have a look at Pancake Rocks. There was a Weka in the car park - the first we've seen on this trip! The rocks looked pancakey (!) - due to weaker layers eroding faster - & the rain continued to fall.

The SH6 turned inland & eastwards, just south of Westport, as we started heading towards Nelson. At Inangahua Junction, however, the main road was flooded, so we were forced to detour south. We attempted a second route across the river, but the bridge was out. We stopped in Reefton to visit the i-site, to find out the latest weather & road news, & it was confirmed that our only option was a 160km detour through Springs Junction, to Murchison. So we pointed the car in the right direction, and drove! Got to Murchinson a couple of hours later, tired, & looking forward to getting out of the car!

First BP's didn't accept children under 12, next campsite didn't have any suitable accommodation available. Then we found the Golden Shack - $55 for a double, with the kids on the floor, comfy, homely BP's with a friendly father & daughter team running the place (John & Olivia). The kids immediately fell for King, the canine member of the team, & we were all soon recuperating from the long day's drive with a coffee, then bubble & squeak for tea! Once we'd got the kids in bed, we opened a bottle of wine, & John said that if no-one else turned up by 9pm, then we could move them onto the beds in the adjacent dorm room - which we did!

Had a very relaxed evening in front of the real fire, chatting to John about hunting & gold prospecting, one of his other jobs!