Windermere

So… where we left off…
With the lake in sight!

We say hello to this rock every time we do the Overland now…

Hello Rock!
And hello to Lichen too…

And I also greeted this dead tree which has the coolest twisty form

Back to walking the track now that I am done being sociable with inanimate objects…

We always meet a bunch of really nice people while on the track – this trip was no different!
A Mother and Daughter team (Hi Beck and Ciara if you’re reading this) – They were really friendly chatty people (oh apart from early morning… most of us were taking a while to wake up properly haha) We had some excellent chats when we caught up at the huts or on the track (As they would usually overtake us)

Another friendly group was a family of five – actually from a town close to where I grew up! (Hello to Louise and Geoff if you are also reading this!)
The Dad worked at the university I had attended many years ago and it was fun recalling some of the names.
The Mum was amazing – you should have seen the food! She had spent months prepping meals. Even desserts!!
Their children were all young adults and really lovely people.

I went swimming in the lake with another group of younger hikers after we had reached camp and set up our tent.
Despite the cooler day, I was really surprised at the water temperature up there. I expected I’d dip in, get snap frozen and need to hop straight out.
I watched Steph go in first and when she didn’t turn blue – I decided to get brave and follow.
It was gorgeous! We spent about half an hour out there swimming about.
Was nice to wash the salty sweat off too!!

Windermere is the next location to get a new hut (Along with Kia Ora)
It was kind of weird listening to building noises way out there.
We walked past the site – I am sure it will be amazing when done but of course looks a bit ‘not wilderness’ at the moment

We set up our tent and sorted things out.
Dinner was the veggie mix and noodles – I partook in a greater amount that night.

Jeff had brought his tablet along and we listened to an audio book before bed each night (Lighter than us both bringing books… plus I read too quickly so I’d be carrying about dead weight before long!)

Nice to get a new pass and add to our Overland Pass Tag Collection!

DAY THREE!!
Awesome! It was cold, rainy and foggy! Bring out the gaiters – my kind of hiking weather!!

Hilariously there were only two other groups left when we got up!
Everyone panics about the 17km day ahead and scarpers early!

Beck and Ciara were still getting sorted and another couple hadn’t even woken up yet.
By the time we got on the track, the early risers from the previous hut had already got to Windermere and were pushing on to Pelion in a ‘double’
I think 17km in one go is enough.

Day three – Hi Jeff!!
The track gets nice and rugged

All the colours in the rain and mist look much richer than in the hot sun

I think eventually we were just walking through rolling clouds

Definitely gave the hike a bit of atmosphere!

I honestly love the track between Windermere and Pelion! Its like you really get your money’s worth that day!
The track changes so much along the way, in and out of forests, out on plains.
Its just so enjoyable!

The track does pose footing challenges but again we got through without falling over anything…

The greenery in these sections is so pretty!
Very tangled

Anyway, I’ll continue the trek to Pelion soon… thats all the photos I have sorted thus far!
Will be back in a day or two to continue
Hope you are all having a lovely week!
Cheers!