The start of July saw a trip up to Cannibal Gorge Hut on the St James Walkway to celebrate a friend's birthday.
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The track starts at Lewis Pass and winds its way above the Maruia River. Not a particularly scenic walk but nice forest with some interesting wildlife encounters.
The hut was surrounded by a nice dusting of snow, making for a pretty scene. But the chilly weather had created a new form of entertainment - the indoor ice skating rink. A pipe had burst, leaving about an inch of ice across the floor of the hut. Luckily we had a keen and innovative team and the ice was quickly cleaned out and the fire stoked up. This was followed by a game of rounders out the front of the hut, made more challenging by playing with a white ball in snow! Then a stunning dinner of venison curry, venison stew, fresh roti made on the fire. And topped off with chocolate pudding and home-made ice cream for dessert. Then the HHH entertainment band set up and the remainder of the evening was passed in a sing-along.
Including this kaka high up in the tree tops. And a stoat attacking a possum. That was a weird one.
A leisurely stroll out in the morning ended another pleasant trip into the hills.