How stealth and deception won the night this time

Stopping to set up camp
Alongside Waiau River
A mixed blessing
Happy to rest
And
Ready to attempt
To win the battle
With the sandflies
This time

First cover as much
Skin as possible
While still allowing function

Set up the tent,
That had been stowed
At the top of the pack this time,
As quickly as possible
Keeping fly screen
Shut as much as possible

Leave out of the pack only
What is needed
Before going to bed:
Cooking and eating gear
Food bag
Water
Toiletries

Walk around
To lose and deceive
Sandflies
Hovering around
Face, feet (ever hopeful) and fingers

Back at the tent
In the swiftest
Possible way
Opening the mesh
As little as possible
And necessary
Throw in the pack
And front pack pockets
This time

Cook the meal
With frequent
Waving of hands
And moving around
Eat dinner
While walking
So the clouds of SFs
Remain relatively limited
Clean dishes and teeth
Using similar strategies

In the swiftest
Possible way
Opening the mesh
As little as possible
And necessary
Throw remaining gear
Into the tent
This time

Walk around again
Deceiving the little b@#$*&%s
Into thinking you’re moving on

Come back to the tent and
In the swiftest
Possible way
Opening the mesh
As little as possible
And necessary
Throw yourself
Into the tent
And ZIP up

Toilet stop
Will do
After dark
When they have
Gone to bed
This time

VICTORY!
Only one in the tent
Dozens hovering
Outside the screen
This time