Mesopotamia

After yesterday's drama it was a pleasure and a bit of a relief to be be able to drive to Mesopotamia Station at the far reaches of the Rangitata Gorge Road.  48kms most of which was unsealed, the day began with low cloud and a feeling that it wouldn't make such a great drive after all, but the nearer I got to the 'divide' the better the weather became until it was a much more regular typical summer's day.  Stunning scenery in an area not seen by many.  The Rangitata River is a typical Canterbury braided river bringing huge volumes of debris down from the Southern Alps.  The river 'bed' is massive but rarely full hence the braiding and at certain times, from certain angles, the water looked turquoise blue.  For most of the drive though the river isn't visible, just hectares of high country with a backdrop of mountains, a few sheep and cows, fewer (though a surprising number) of people and a sky that seemed to go on forever.  Very pleased I did the drive :D

Another night at Peel Forest DoC camp which almost felt like home when I returned at the end of the drive!

In COVID news, there were 1573 new cases and 63 are in hospital, 0 in ICU.  I wonder when we'll reach our peak and how big it will be?