The assumption of a mice less hut was a little ambitious, but the boys had a plan. George the farmer had provided some tips on mice trapping...and we were eager to try them out.
The strategy - a bucket of water on the ground, with a bottle above it. The bottle must be a long necked glass bottle with some cheese in the spout. The plan is that the mouse smells the cheese, walks along the neck of the bottle, can't turn around and instead falls into the water....
It took a few tries, and some unplanned feeding, but at some stage during the night we woke to a plop...mouse in the bucket. Success.
The strategy - a bucket of water on the ground, with a bottle above it. The bottle must be a long necked glass bottle with some cheese in the spout. The plan is that the mouse smells the cheese, walks along the neck of the bottle, can't turn around and instead falls into the water....
It took a few tries, and some unplanned feeding, but at some stage during the night we woke to a plop...mouse in the bucket. Success.
We walked and walked, and then, we saw it. RIVERTON. The town which signaled the true beginning of the end. Two easy days walking to Bluff. Riverton was a good place to be. A sweet backpackers, dehydrated food combined with some fresh veges, and chilling in front of the TV, made for happy hikers.
The whanau arrive tomorrow. It will be so good to see familiar faces and to share the end of the journey with them. The excitement of the completion is overtaking sadness at the moment, but no doubt both emotions will sneak in over the next few days. Once again, ahead of schedule, so we will share a day off with Ed, using our time to reflect on the pearls and perils of the trail. A timely reflection to make the end even sweeter.