Greymouth

I seem to have come into some good weather on the West Coast which I've heard is quite lucky. Hostel is ok, not impressed with the bed. Greymouth is a little village with lots of kayaking and a little surfing and cycling. But kayak tours are expensive. I went on the Kowahi Bush Walk. It was a thin trail winding through woodland next to a lake and was filled with birds some didn't even fly away as you came up to them. Met a guy called Andy who's from just outside of Brighton and has hitchiked from Auckland down to Greymouth. Hes the only non-German in my room (again)

Met some really cool Americans, ones travelling on a motorbike but they're going to buy a car together. Everyone I've talked to has so much useful advice to give it's so great to hear considering I've only just started! Went down to watch the sunset on the beach with a load of Germans.

Was suprised to find out you can buy an air rife in NZ at 18 without a license and any legal weapon at 16 with a license. Was just as suprised when I went to buy a pair of shorts and the counter was filler with shotguns and rifles. Met a 76 year old man from St Albans who's travellihg around NZ by himself he was absolutely amazing and looked about 15 years younger than he actually was! I'm headed to Hokitika for a night then heading camping but you cant book the campsite so fingers crossed I'll get a spot! I've also signed up for couch surfing which sounds like fun. I've been talking to Yannick, one of the guys I met in Christchurch who's doing a similar route to me but is just a day behind. We're gonna try meet up and maybe he'll come camping with me. I'm also meeting up with Luca who I met here in Greymouth as we're staying in the same hostel in Hokitika.