The bus to Geraldine left on time and we arrived a little early, but Steve’s wife, Jenny, was there waiting to meet us. While she drove us to their home, we chatted about the area. We learned that Steve’s forebears were pioneer farmer settlers in the Canterbury region, also his dad, Austen Deans was a well known artist who painted mainly watercolour landscapes. Austen was also related to Jane Austen, on his mother’s side.

Their house had been Steve’s family home and was full of artwork by Austen, and also various other family members. We found a biography of Austen which had many prints of his artworks including portraits as well as landscapes.

We had a comfortable upstairs room with an extra comfortable bed and bathroom to ourselves and a balcony from which we could watch the rain. Downstairs the kitchen had an old wood fired stove which went a long way towards heating the house. The house and all the furniture looked like it had survived a few generations but was cosy and comfortable.

Both Steve and Jenny were knowledgeable about the nearby section of the TA and were cautious about their advice for our onward journey. They had looked after many hikers and had helped some who had difficulties trying to cross flooded creeks.

Our first plan was to delay our hike, staying 2 days at the Dean’s house. As we watched the weather forecasts- all of which predicted continuing but lessening rain, we switched to plan B. This was to catch another bus, head south to Lake Tekapo and hike north for a stretch, then south again, missing the dangerous rivers but allowing us to see some beautiful mountains.