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Flood Tide

From Wanaka to Fox Glacier

An early start, we're up with the sun
The hills glow eerily in the early morning light
Breakfast on the lakeshore, pink in the sky
Seagulls on the prowl, don't let crumbs fall.

The bus arrives, luggage loaded on board
A seat by the window, we've a long way to go
Out past Mount Iron, then off to the North
Winding round Lake Hawea, looks choppy and cold

First stop Makarora, time for tea and a wee
Then back on the highway that took 35 years to build
Winding a course up through Haast Pass
Clouds hang low in the valley, threatening and dark

Crossing rivers, streams, gullies, falls and creeks
Bright yellow signs proclaiming their names
Surrounded by native rainforest, ancient and strong
Farmland, buildings, animals and people rarely in view

The clouds lift, the road turns back to the Tasman Sea
Waves crash on the shore, driftwood strewn on the beach
The road climbs, Knights Point Lookout comes and goes
Don't look down, the cliffs fall away steeply to the sea

Time to stretch our legs again at Lake Paringa
Brightly coloured tents pitched close to the shore
The rain is back, the wind blows the trees sideways
Giant ferns seem to dominate the view from the bus

Signs of life, we pass a salmon farm and cafe
Whitebait and honey advertised for sale by the road
A patch of blue in the sky but no mountains in view
The road winds on, my sense of direction is gone

A house, roses in bloom, the first one for miles
Hitchhikers by the road, the wait could be long
A tree stands out on the skyline, the sky clears again
A glimpse of the mountains, the snow looks bright

One more twist of the road, another Fox River to cross
The bridge constructed to withstand spring floods
The water flows aqua, rock flour makes it shine
Journey complete, Welcome to Glacier Country!


Happy Travels

Liz T







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