On Thursday March 10, 2005 we found ourselves traveling along Milford Road in the direction of Milford Sound.

      It was raining at this time of day, but of tour manager made certain that we made all of the stops that are traditional for our tour.  One of them was at a location called The Chasm.  When the coach stopped at a parking area established for this natural attraction, a few of decided to fight the rain and walk the path to the viewing area.

      The photograph at left is of one of the many water falls that we encountered along the walk to The Chasm.

      At right is the Cleddau River rushing toward The Chasm.

      At left is a wooden bridge that crosses the Cleddau River at the point where water begins spilling into The Chasm.

      The bridge was divided by yellow caution tape and officials made certain that visitors did not cross the bridge from one side to the other although we did manage to find a way to both sides.  Later, I discovered that a plank was missing from the bridge.

      The Chasm is a big natural bottomless bowl where all the water of the Cleddau River spills.  It was particularly forceful and misty due, in part, to the rain, so it was difficult to obtain carefully positioned photographs.

      At left is another view showing the water spilling off a ledge in the background and splashing in greater force as it comes closer.

      An inspirational posting nearby reads as follows:

THE CHASM

The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.

-- David Henry Thoreau