Today it's raining cats and dogs! No problem: I have the high spirit ... and my raincoats. I start to realize that my shoes are quite light: these are walking choose and not mountain boots. But I prefer to travel light. So I tried to avoid the mud, zig zagging and walking on the side of the trail. But then, I arrive at ta place where the shallow wooden bridge which cross a swamp is covered with 5 cm or water! So I have no solution: I will get my feets wets. Anyway, I've seen worth and the company of the israelis make me think better things.

At about midway, starts the problem of my knee tendinite. Hopefully, a nice couple from Australia lends me a walking sticks and stay with me until the third hut. At the hut, a retired couple from Switzerland which has moved to an island near Auckland 46 years ago gave me an very natural pommade. Thanks everyone!

Many are going directly to the Rainbow Bridge and catching the 3pm shuttle to Te Anau and a few are staying at the third hut. I plan to stay at the third hut which is next to a beautiful lake.

I advise you to stay at this hut as it's a good place for enjoying the lake, the beach abd the Koas: 'the only alpine parrot in the world'. Those koas are very intelligent according to scientific studies. They are funny too!