A day full of surprises, fabulous surprises. We don't intend for this blog to become a brag book of sorts, but there are certain situations that are simply too good to not share. Some might call it luck or karma - for us it's more about God looking out for us and giving us a helping hand. Our experience of providence was transport, food, shelter and great company.
Our arrival in Queenstown included the final transportation hurdle of the trail, getting across Lake Wakatipu and to the start of the Greenstone track. Of course there is a shuttle service, it is a tourist town, but the boat was approximately $320 and the bus was well over $100 so we planned on hitchhiking. Our first task was to fetch our food parcel that had been sent to friends from Cambridge who had moved to Queenstown. When we got the parcel Chris, who is a vicar in the Queenstown parish, mentioned that he was in fact driving up to Glenorchy later that afternoon (over half way of the hitching trip), if we'd like to come. He was going up to preach at the small church for Easter Sunday so we joined in on the lovely celebration service. After the service we were told the best bet was to hitch around to Kinloch and then attempt to get another hitch to the start of our trail.
It was all sounding a bit more complicated than planned...o ye of little faith. We shouldn't be surprised but someone at the church service offered to take us to Kinloch, but first they were having afternoon tea and dinner with some friends, so we'd have to attend that. An inconvenience we decided we could put up with. During dinner they offered for us to stay the night with them in Kinloch and that they would drive us to the trail head the next morning.
Our arrival in Queenstown included the final transportation hurdle of the trail, getting across Lake Wakatipu and to the start of the Greenstone track. Of course there is a shuttle service, it is a tourist town, but the boat was approximately $320 and the bus was well over $100 so we planned on hitchhiking. Our first task was to fetch our food parcel that had been sent to friends from Cambridge who had moved to Queenstown. When we got the parcel Chris, who is a vicar in the Queenstown parish, mentioned that he was in fact driving up to Glenorchy later that afternoon (over half way of the hitching trip), if we'd like to come. He was going up to preach at the small church for Easter Sunday so we joined in on the lovely celebration service. After the service we were told the best bet was to hitch around to Kinloch and then attempt to get another hitch to the start of our trail.
It was all sounding a bit more complicated than planned...o ye of little faith. We shouldn't be surprised but someone at the church service offered to take us to Kinloch, but first they were having afternoon tea and dinner with some friends, so we'd have to attend that. An inconvenience we decided we could put up with. During dinner they offered for us to stay the night with them in Kinloch and that they would drive us to the trail head the next morning.
Before we knew it, our washing was in the machine, we had amazing homemade coffee in our hand, delicious home baked treats for afternoon tea, a three course meal for dinner, an interesting and caring bunch of people to talk with, venison and bacon for dinner the following night, a warm bed for the night, and a place to stay for the last couple of nights when we hit Invercargill. We are learning that sometimes when we try to plan things the best we can, there are treasures and plans lined up that far exceed our imagination.
There are some people in life that you meet and instantly feel connected with. Certainly the case with Kay and John. Both retired ministers from the Salvation Army church, they are as caring and genuine as one could imagine and so encouraging of us both. We have come away feeling refreshed, loved and ready for the last 13 days of hiking ahead.
There are some people in life that you meet and instantly feel connected with. Certainly the case with Kay and John. Both retired ministers from the Salvation Army church, they are as caring and genuine as one could imagine and so encouraging of us both. We have come away feeling refreshed, loved and ready for the last 13 days of hiking ahead.