South Island Day 60, 04/06/18 〜 南島第60日・2918年6月4日

Woke up several times by the rats running noise. Got up at 6:00 and left the hut at 8:00. A clear and mild day again.

From 9:00, walked a mountain path along the water race built for gold mining in the old days. Was interesting at the beginning but got bored walking in the same scenery in a dusky forest with no view for 6 hours, 20km. Seemed to be there were many wild pigs around, and the ground was dug up here and there. This path along the water race went down further south, and another 7 km to the west. On the map, the path gets close to a farm road at the bend… thought I could take a short cut if getting out to the south at this point.

When getting there at 13:00, there was a byway and thought following this way. On the other hand, being interested in the fact TA official trail went on the longer way for some reason. Decided to walk the official trail and got to the traffic road at 15:00. In conclusion, was better to follow the short cut unless having an interest in the local history: there was nothing other than an interpretation board about the local gold rush history along the track.

Follow State Highway 99 and arrived Colac Bay at 16:00. Stayed in a cabin at a holiday park a local tavern manages. Paid $35/night and got a double room just for myself. Very quiet, as I was the only guest tonight. Went to bed at 23:00. 79km to go for Bluff - under 100km to go for TA goal finally! Walked 8 hours, 29km.

　夜ネズミが枕元を走り回って、何度か目が覚めたものの、起床は6:00。8:00に小屋を出発。今日もまた一日穏やかな晴天。

　9:00からは、昔、金の採掘に使う水を引くために作られた水路に沿って伸びる山道を歩く。初めは興味深かったが深く薄暗い森の中で展望もなく、単調な同じ景色の中を20km、6時間も歩いていると、だんだん飽きてきた。野豚が多いのかあちこち掘り返されている。この水路沿いの道はずっと南へ下った後、さらに西へと7km続くが、地図を見るとこの曲がり角の辺りで農道に接近する。そこで南に抜けられればかなり距離を短縮できるのに、と考えていた。

　13:00頃そこへ差し掛かると、実際に抜け道が整備されていた。そちらへ進もうかとも考えたが、逆にTAの正規ルートがわざわざ遠回りの道を選んでいる理由に興味が湧き正規ルートを辿る事にする。15:00に車道へと出たが、途中にこの辺りのゴールドラッシュの歴史を解説した案内板があった程度で、結論を言えば、特に地域の歴史に興味がない限り、近道を通った方が合理的だったように思う。