New Zealand Day 6: Rain arrives

This was very much a taking it easy travel day. We left about 9.30 and headed back towards Richmond and Nelson. We started the morning with a bit of shopping for glass and pottery. Then we headed south just as the drizzle started, tragically missing a visit to Wendleton Guinea Pig Village.

We had planned a walk in Nelson Lakes National Park, but with the drizzle getting heavier, a change of plans was in order. We skipped the lakes and landed in Murcheson for a nice casual cafe lunch. Samuel ordered another burger - as usual in New Zealand it was enormous.

Post lunch the clouds got darker as we checked out Buller Gorge. The Jetboat wasn't running and we baulked at paying $10 each for a walk across the swing bridge. Moving on down the Buller River and Gorge we stopped for one or two photos before the skies finally opened.

With the rain now pelting down, we pushed on to our accommodation just outside Westport and, post check in, spent a boring wet hour wandering around the local shops. At least Eric managed to find the local brewery. With the forecast for heavy overnight rain, we called the Cave rafting center to check if tomorrows trip was in jeopardy. They weren't sure and promised a return call early tomorrow morning after checking the catchment.

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