From Anne Hut to Hanmer Springs
Hiking time: 07:30a.m.-05:00p.m.
Daily/Total distance: 29.5km /353km (140 hitched/skipped)
Steps: 46392
Weather: cold in the morning but otherwise clear and sunny day

Someone’s alarm went off at 5:30am. Being awake after this I decided to get up and ready at 6am. Seeing as this is either my last or second to last day on this section and I had 3 portions of breakfast left I decided to have a double portion of porridge for breakfast. If I should turn this into a long day I will need all the energy I can get. I was then ready to go and set off at 7:30am. As it was quite chilly again in the morning I was once again wearing my rainjacket over my top and long sleeve.

The track continued mainly as it the previous day. Through the flats of the valley.

By the time the sun came out behind the mountains and I stopped to take some clothes off I realised that my legs were very itchy. All over the front of my legs I seem to have developed a rash. It must be from the grass I have been walking through. All I want at this point is to sit my lower body into the stream of water to ease the itching. But I continue on.

The track continued on through some forest to ascend Anne Saddle at 1136m. Though as I already started the day at 900m it doesn’t feel like much. There wasn’t even a view to be had. After the last few days over the Travers Saddle and Waiau Pass this is nothing. Then it continued on through more grassy flats. My legs feel like they are burning. The antihistamine I took doesn’t seem to be doing much.

Going over a swing Bridge I reached Boyle Flat Hut. I made a short stop to grab my second bag of snacks planned for the next section, signed the intentions book and the set off again.

The next bit included further grassy plains as well as some nice forests which offered some shade from the burning sun. And even though the walking through grass inflicts the allergic reaction the views of the surrounding mountains is breathtaking. It is also amazing to see from the surrounding mountains how far you have come.

Continuing on, there was another swing Bridge to be crossed. On this one the netting on the side was off, creating big gaps. I could fall through there if I were not careful!

Just after 5pm I reached Boyle. Here I met two who had send some food to the outdoor education centre and picked it up. As my food was send to Hanmer I continued on towards the street. Here I then stood to flag down a car to take me the 55km down the road. Shortly after me an American couple also arrived at the road to get a ride. There went many cars at this time of the day but after 20min someone in a big SUV stopped for me. This was the 15th car we had seen in that time frame. The guy had enough space for all three of us and took us along. As he was going to Christhurch he would drop us off at the Junction to Hanmer. When we got there though he brought us further along the road all the way into Hanmer. That was very nice of him.

We then set off to find accommodation for the night. They went to the YHA while I went to the backpacker that I had already stayed at twice before. Upon my arrival though I was given a note that this is a hostel and not a hut and that I was to store my shoes and pack in the shed outside, take a shower as soon as possible and not to dry anything indoors. They must have had some very bad experiences with previous TA hikers. It isn’t to much of a bother as I was planning to take a shower immediately anyways. About time as well after spending the last 6 days without one. Afterwards I went to grab some fish and chips. I have to pick up my food parcel and visit the pharmacy the next day as those places are already closed for the day.

The rest of the evening I spent talking to a TA NOBO (Northbound) hiker as well as a backpacker. They had made some pork belly in the oven of which they offered me some as well. It was very well cooked and a really yummy treat. Afterwards I spent the evening suing the backpackers Wi-Fi to finally get back to writing some blog posts. As I am taking a rest day the next day I didn’t need to turn in as early as I usually do.