We were embarking on our first full Great Walk (http://www.greatwalks.co.nz/) around Lake Waikaremoana a day later than the rest of the group due to Greg's exam. What better preparation could we have for a 3 day hike than a night spent sleeping in our beloved Grape of Wrath. We arrived at the 'campsite' after dark but successfully managed to negotiate the car onto some grassland before setting up camp. Greg insisted on all lights being off every time the door was opened in order to limit insect infiltration. We decided to use the toilets in the bar as finding the wash block in the pitch black was almost impossible. We were mid toothbrush when there was the thud of a closing door and the lights went out. We staggered out into a deserted bar to find ourselves locked in. We gazed helplessly out of the door and watched the owner drive off down the dirt track. We briefly considered a boozy night drinking the bar dry before abandoning the idea and breaking out of the bar, leaving it unlocked for the rest of the night.

After a surprisingly good night sleep, we were up and raring to go. Knowing we were doing 2 days walk in 1, we embarked on our 'tramp' with military precision, allowing ourselves a drink and a sweet every hour. 45 degree up slopes, lots of tree roots and some staggeringly good views, 3 hours later we had reached the top where we allowed ourselves a lunch break before our descent to meet our fellow walkers. We joined them basking in the refreshing waters of the lake before relaxing on the deck of our hut, eating our boil in the bag meal and enjoying some card games before bed. We had agreed to set out at 9am the next day.

We were staying in a 12 bed dorm, our group was 8 and there was 1 spare bed. Unfortunately out of the 3 strangers, one of them turned out to be an extreme snorer. She was sleeping next to Claire and Greg. Needless to say when Tony decided to grace the room with high pitched pop music at 7am, his presence was not gratefully received by Lauren and Claire who were mid beauty sleep. Unfortunately, after this uneasy start to the day, Tony was now petrified of the two sleeping beauties and so set out on the days walk without them.

Day two wasn't as undulating as day one, but it was gruellingly long. We stopped and played under a waterfall before catching up with the earlier group where any differences were ironed out. 7 hours after setting off we finally arrived at our hut for the night, and surprisingly everyone was still in good spirits. Another evening was spent relaxing in the lake (watched over by a menacing flock of swans), playing cards and lounging beside a camp fire. We finished the walk the next day with a water taxi to take us back across the lake to our cars. Claire calculated our calorie intake vs. expenditure for the 3 day walk and let's just say, it met the necessary requirements for the imminent wedding diet.