Day 26 - Boyle Flat hut to Hanmer Springs

It was an estimated 4 and a half hours to Boyle car park from Boyle Flat hut, and then a 53km hitchhike into Hamner springs where I would resupply for the next section to Arthurs pass. As I threw my pack around my shoulders I told Wietse, Justin and Dylan that we'd meet at O'Flynns bar tonight - if we didn't see each other before hand - and celebrate the end of the section over a few pints.

I hit the trail with a steady speed, not feeling any stiff or soreness from the day before. It took me a little over 2 hours to reach the car park since the trial was fairly flat. I took the time to go into the Boyle Village outdoor education Centre and booked a night for tomorrow, knowing I would be hitching back up here from Hanmer Springs to continue the trail after my rest day.

As I waited on the side of the road for a lift, Wietse showed up, and we teamed up our efforts for a ride. It took us around 15 minutes of smiling with our thumbs up at every car before one finally stopped. It was a kiwi man from Christchurch, and he was more friendly than ever. When he herd we had been hiking the Nelson Lakes region for the past 7 days he pulled out a jar of his mums famous smoked onion mussels and shared half the jar with Wietse and myself. Unfortunately he was only able to take us to the turnoff to Hanmer, and it wasn't long before Wietse and myself were standing on the side of the road with our thumbs out again. It took about 10 minutes before a kiwi couple from Dunedin picked us up. Their names were Jim and a Jan. While getting to know us they asked what we did for a living, and when I told them that I had worked in Tapanui shooting stills on Pete's Dragon they burst into excitement. They told me how exciting that was at the time and expressed how much they loved the film.

When Wietse and I made it to Hanmer we found a BBH, quickly plopped down our gear, and ran as fast as we could to the nearest fish and chips shop and splurged on a greasy lunch. After pleasing our stomachs we headed back to the hostel to do some quick laundry, shower, and catched up on some needed relaxing.

Later in the evening we went to O'Flynns and met up with Justin and Dylan. We drank some pints, talked music movies and books, and discussed our plans for the next section. We made our way back to our cozy bunk rooms before it was 11 olclock.