Jackson's Bay continued

It was a peaceful night in our parking spot by the main road into Jackson's Bay with little traffic after dinner. Sunday morning we set off on the Grade 3, 4 hour return trip over the hill and along the river to Smoothwater Bay which was as it's name suggests - smooth but deep and probably with strong currents. We enjoyed the walk which went through a variety of terrain starting with a jump over a ditch and then past a sign warning us that only experienced, prepared walkers should pass this point.

That's us!

The prize at the end of the track

The first half followed an old pioneers track to the Smoothwater River and there were a lot of boggy patches en-route with a good variety of trees and ferns and some nice birdsong. Once we reached the river we followed the track alongside to the beach pleased that there were orange markers to follow as the track faded a bit in some places and we had to climb up around a slip in one spot. The river looked inviting and we would have spent more time on the beach when we got there but the sandflies had started to ignore our detol/babyoil mix and we didn't feel like lingering.
We only met 2 other couples and that was when we had nearly finished the walk..

the cabin next door was two deer!

Our neighbours arrive!

We then drove back to Haast having a walk down to Haast Beach, which is a few kms South of the village, on the way. It had turned into another hot day with the sun appearing later in the morning. Being a bit tired after the walk and driving we decided to stay in the carpark at the Merino, Possum and Honey shop which is an interesting place and has just been turned into a POP, upsetting of course to the local campground owner as the POP is free. Most people staying would give patronage to the shop however and we did our bit by buying some manuka honey and soap. They have an active glass beehive in the shop so you can see the bees working away and producing the honey. Outside, close to where we were parked, were two deer being hung for tenderising in the netted safe. The helicopter which they probably shoot them from landed in the carpark close to our bus and stirred up lots of dust - so much for our big springclean in Wanaka! - but it provided some entertainment.

The toilet provided for the shop and the campers (only 2 motorhomes) had to be the best "Public" one we have ever used - very clean and lots of samples provided to try from products in the shop such as moisturisers and hand creams.