Kepler Sampler & Lake Manapouri Fun

Monday 9 February

After lots of packing, checking, rearranging and caravan logistics we were off! Daypack for us and three large packs for the Fernandi. They have 3 overnights in huts and a 60km walk - we were just accompanying them on the first 5km to Brod Bay.

A lovely day to start the walk - blue skies, sunshine and the gentlest of breezes. Met these two lovely American (?) ladies and took their Kepler Track start photo for them - turns out we are all breast cancer survivors! Took some official "start of the Kepler Track" pics for the Fernandi then we set off. The Fernandi are off to Luxmore Hut, we were to leave them at Brod Bay, and in 4 days time we pick them up here after their last night at Moturau Hut and a final walk back along Rainbow Reach - it’s a 60.1km round trip!

The first few kms through the magical green forest along the lakeside were easy and we made good progress. Paused at Dock Bay to admire the lake view from this angle then on to Brod Bay.

We stopped for a snack at Brod Bay then parted ways, but it was a sandfly-fest and they took a particular shine to Abby & me 😠 We had hundreds on our backs and around our heads, my long lens has at least 6 of them you can see in the pic!

Louis & I walked back from there and the Fernandi walked on up Mt Luxmore to the Luxmore Hut where our mutual friend Ruth was on ranger duty. Nickie was very pleased with her Manky Map which is a double sided map of the Kepler Track on a microfibre cloth which doubles as a hanky or a sweat wipe along the way!

We got in with a few chores in & around town, took a siesta then decided to hit Lake Manapouri late afternoon - Louis to swim and me to kayak.

Fab trip - 2kms across the lake then Louis hopped in with me and we paddled back through rising winds and choppy waters as the next weather front inched its way in 🥺

I made lamb koftas and tzatziki for dinner and spent the evening sorting through over 300 pics from our Milford Road trip!!!

EXTRA - Kepler Track Day 1 pics from Nickie's Facebook report... Lunching in the woods, climbing higher and higher, across the side of the hill thorugh the tussock grass, reaching the hut, and epic panoramic view, a visiting kea, Luxmore Cave and lovely Ruth - caught with her eyes closed, doh!