lewis Pass

Drove up the Southern Alps through the Lewis Pass. Stopped at Sylvia Flats for free outdoor hot pools by the river. We'd been given good local advice about this off the beaten track natural hot spring and went off armed with swimmers, towels and enthusiasm. But it wasn't quite enough, we needed a digger and a crane! There had been a recent landslide and the whole area was engulfed with fresh rock and tree falls and looked likely to go again at any minute. So we quietly crept out and drove to nearby paid ones....full of concrete, people and rules.....and obviously wanting money. The recent rains had cooled the pools and they just weren't hot enough for us hot things, so we'll wait until we're home and go for a hot tub on the Sheeps Head (thanks TJ)!!!