The Buller Valley - Sand Flies!

We continued north and ran into the Westport marathon and half marathon event which slowed our progress; on leaving the super market we then ran into the family fun run! We were fortunately able to miss the runners, though there was a close shave when an old lady directed the massed runners directly into our road! We stopped for lunch in the Buller Valley, the river in full spate after the heavy rain during the previous night; and again to experience New Zealand's longest swing suspension bridge. For five bucks each provided a quite scary walk across the raging torrent below. We stayed the night in a Department for Conservation (DOC) camp site. A free site beside an old disused railway. This was our second choice as the first was abandoned when we saw the number of sand flies swarming around the van! These nasty little beasts are the plague of South Island. Visit, but come prepared and even then expect to be bitten. Use insect repellent, bring Anthisan and other anti-histamine, boost your use of vitamin B; some say eat marmite and avoid bananas!

We were awoken twice during the night by a passing vehicle and shouts of "Wake up!" and the blasting of a car horn. I suppose that's the most entertainment young people get in the Buller Valley.