The Lord of the Flies. Takaka D.O.C, Owen Reserve, Berlins BnB.

Feb 26, 2016
2 min read

The return over Takaka hill was hard but we completed it and enjoyed the rolling ride back into Riwaka. After a restock of food we made our way to the free D.O.C camp not far out of town. The site was next to a river and close to some fields which meant the sandfly apocalypse was in full effect. Many travellers had forewarned us of being overcome by the flies but up until this point they hadn’t been to bad. At this site they were unbearable. It meant that we had to put on jeans, hoodies, socks and shoes. Any bare skin showing was risking hours of painful itching.

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We ate quickly and retired to our tents before it was dark as to sit outside was near impossible. The first few minutes of being in the tent is spent searching out and squashing any flies that had managed to sneak in while the flap was open. Miss one at your peril.

The following mornings breakfast wasn’t eaten at the campsite but inside a disused school miles away from the river. Even there we had to be quick as the black buzzing cloud came in after a short while. If nothing else at least it means the riding is steady as it’s better to keep moving. Owen reserve wasn’t any better for the flies but at least there were showers and an area undercover to set the tents up. This meant that if it rained in the night or there was a heavy morning dew then the tents wouldn’t be wet making it easier and quicker to pack and get riding. Our route took us down the very scenic highway 6 to the superb Berlin’s BnB. We had camping spaces, showers, electricity and a Kitchen for $12 each.