So south we go, heading for an area of wild sea-scapes and rolling hills. The Catlins was named after a sea captain who, apparently, bought the land from local Maoris. In the end he never got round to visiting the place, but they still named it after him. Pity - his loss!
The plant life and wildlife are starting to individualise themselves to NZ now. Loads of wiggly trees they call cabbage trees, and pod carp forest, which I (Liz) think are tree ferns. There is a notable lack of indigenous mammals. Plenty of imported sheep, cows and antler-less red deer, but nothing big that originated locally. However, they make up for this with birds, and the morning chorus is impressive to say the least. The little birds are so tame as well, coming in really close to you. When we were in the Catlins at Curio Bay we saw five yellow-eyed penguins, which you should be impressed by as this is the rarest penguin species on the planet! (Needless to say neither of us had even heard of them before arriving here).Highpoints were camping in Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites. The DOC have little camping spots in some of the most beautiful and isolated areas. They only provide at a minimum, a loo and a water supply. Paying is an honesty box and there is usually only room for about 6-10 tents. However, it does mean that you can pitch your tent right next to a beautiful lake,or right by the sea. This would all be brilliant and perfect if it wasn't for the sandflies. These are the midgies of South Island, and they don't seem to mind the sun, breezes or anything - boy do their bites itch.Oh the illicit pleasure of scratching.
From the Catlins we moved on south to Invercargill and stopped at Sandfly Bay for a few days of comfort camping on a good site. Sunshine, more eating and Greg's ear is ready to play out again. So back on the road-trip.
Total no of nights camping 10.
Pictures show 1. black tree fern canopy 2. Petrified Forest at Curio Bay 3 and 4 Strange rock formations Purakaunui Bay 5. Nugget Head Lighthouse
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