Feb 18th
The glacier climb was fantastic, really enjoyable. Did not realize it was going to be so big. Its so big it moves 5m a day. Well we went to the shop and got fitted for our raincoats and clampons and boots and stuff and then we were off. We got to the bottom of the glacier and looked up and it did not seem too far away but it was in fact about a 3 mile walk and everytime we stopped to admire the scenery or waterfall or such it still looked the same distance away and it stayed that distance until we were upon it. It was really strange to climb on the ice, you could hear bits breaking off and falling and it was hard to trust the clampons, , especially in some areas where the ice looked a bit thin or there were lots of pools on top cause you imagine the crust being a bit thin and falling through but its actually miles thick and wide and although it does stress and break in places the guides know what areas are safe. Glad we did not do this one on our own, people do as in nz the parks are owned by the people and you can climb, swim, fish anywhere, which is great but can be a bit dangerous for idiots.
Well we walked a bit of the way along the glacier and got more and more confident and trusting of the clampons and it was great, we went under ice made arches and tunnels and we got our red lion flag out to take pictures, had a lovely, climb, walk and explore but it started to get a bit chilly so after a snack we started our decent. (See I am an explorer using correct words and all now) which was a bit hard on Jims knees, good job we have travelled now as I think his knees will not let him climb in future years, so at least we will have done a abit of climbing with robin.,.
Got back to the village and bought a cooked chicken and drove to picnic spot at Fox Glacier to eat it (car park) Had a quick walk and gander at the Fox Glacier Mint!!!! And then back into the car to drive as near to queenstown as we can get. There was no accommodation available at Haast so Jim had to keep driving then we reached Makarora and there was a pub and campsite. I went and asked if they had accommodation and the man said he had very basic accommodation but jim really wanted a beer so we took it. Well it was a tin shed and the communal toilets stank but it was late and we wwere tired so we went to the bar, I had 2 beers and had to leave jim there, it does not take long for me to get tipsy I am out of practice since xmas. Well just as robin aand I were nearly asleep guess who came home making loads of noise and very very happy.
Feb 19th
On the road again but nice and sunny got to Wanaka and stopped for breakfast in a lovely place, sat and chatted in the sun then took the windy road over the mountains which was quite stunning especially as the day was clear and you could see for miles, jim kept stopping to take pictures, from the top of the mountain you could see queenstown . Only stayed about an hour in queenstown had drive round, went in for a drink then wnet to frankton and bought jim a fishing rod. Had tried to get jim a fishing rod when we first arrived but he would not have one, said he would not see anything if he had a fishing rod as I would not be able to drag him away from the lakes!!! Well he has one now and I bet it does not stop raining now!!!!
Reached Kingston and we have got an allotment shed with roses round the door and two bunk beds!! Joy! There is not a lot to Kingston except the steam railway that is still operating. Jim wants to go on it tomorrow before we leave. Walked around the lake a bit then went for dinner and to buy jim a fishing licence. Went back to cabin to watch gone wit the wind on dvd on computer. Opened the box to put on and box empty. Had not checked when we bought it, how daft are we.
Feb 20th
On the Kingston Express first thing. Was actually a great experience though I am not into trains. The first class private cabins were like off the old Sherlock holmes films. Wished we had dressed in old fashioned clothes and made an occasion of it. It was great fun going in the different coaches and out into the fresh air between the coaches. They are all very different and seeing the smoke and hearing the very loud whistle was great. Enjoyed loads more than I thought I would, couldn’t believe robin when the conductor asked him if he would like to punch everyones ticket he turned down the job, I felt like offering but thought jim might get jealous so I held back, (that doesn’t happen often). All in all great fun that would recommend to anyone. In fact I think all the webs will have to have a day out on the old steam train in England all dressed up in old fashioned clothes, the flying Scotsman or orient express or maybe Hogwarts express. What fun!!
Back in car making for Te Anau. Got sorted, lovely room, luxury, fantastic as here for two nights!! Booked some excursions. Went to TeAnau glowworm caves, which were not as good as Waitamo but made for a pleasant boat ride and evening. Robin and I had a bit of a laugh as in the dark he kept holding my hand so I borrowed his finger and went to pick my nose, needless to say he did not find it funny but we both ended up in fits of giggles and got told to shushhhhh. Sort of makes up for all them licks and wet willys!
Feb 21st
Up early and woke robin, had a bit of a shock as he was covered in a quite severe rash. Calmed down and went to chemist to get some calamine lotion before drive to Milford Sound.. Absolutely wonderful, stunning scenery. Was raining so there were many quite gushing waterfalls, the mountains, lakes and waterfalls were lovely on the drive there which took two and half hours. At Milford Sound we boarded our boat and and started our cruise out to the Tasman sea. Just as we past the first waterfall we saw bottlenose dolphins, fantastic they had young and it was lovely to see the wild dolphins with their babies. The scenery was magical and the rainclouds made it seem other worldly. It was scenery that you couldn’t take pictures of, it wouldn’t show the size and grandure of the mountains and waterfalls. On the way back you could see how the early explorers missed the milford sound as you can see just mountains, they look joined, there does not seem to be a way through and then you go closer and find the water does go through to a great big expanse of water, fantastic. We saw fur seals lazing about on the rocks and loads of seabirds, we also saw more dolphins and then we went to the underwater observatory which is awesome. The observatory is built under the water in the sound, you have to climb down and look through the glass and you can see into the sound. We saw that the mussels had just spawned turning the water cloudy, and we saw loads of fish, starfish, black coral, sea cucumber, snake starfish and horse mussels, well I cannot remember the names of everything we saw but it was fab and I will never forget. Came back to our apartment and I cooked! Then chilled out. Looking forward to doubtful sound tomorrow.
Feb 22nd
Robin woke up covered in spots all over again but we packed and drove to Manapouri so that we could join our tour of the doubtful sound. Got there with a bit of time to spare so booked in a motel as didn’t think jim would feel like driving at 9pm and everywhere here shuts including the receptions at motels at 9 or 10pm. Boarded our boat for a trip across Manapouri Lake which was very beautiful. Stopped for a trip to the power station which was quite interesting mainly for jim but robin now understands electricity quite well now to. The boys were hungry so I pulled out the picnic I had prepared earlier and these two boys who do not really like sandwiches must have been starving as robin asked for more and ate his crust too!! While on the coach over the Wilmot Pass we met some people from Bishop Stortford who know Elaine, Abi and Robin from Steeple Bumpstead and we also met a family from Aberdeen where libs is, what a small world eh!! Anyway we drove through the rainforest and beautiful waterfalls to Deep Cove where we boarded another boat to cruise up the sound. Well I still haven’t got the words to describe the views, wonder, vastness and beauty of it all and I doubt our photos will do it justice but it is other worldly beautiful with the clouds. Whilst we cruised along we saw seals, dolphins and penguins, awesome, and I looked up some of the dolphins, they keep a book on board of the tagged ones and one of them is called Webb so a webb lives in doubtful sound (my god, they get everywhere!!)
I would not have wanted to be an explorer in the early days, would never have found my way back, the entrances are only entrances when you get up right close from a few feet it just looks like one mountain after another. We saw where there had been a tree avalanche which is quite spectacular. Would have liked to do this sound in a canoe over a couple of days but we have no time left and it is really wet, damp and rainy, well I suppose it would be being a rainforest and we did have a good run of bright sunshine in the middle of the day. We were al worn out when we got home at 9pm, so it was dinner and a bit of tv, (being as we are in motel!).
Feb 23rd
Robin still got a rash so went to the doctors in Ae Anau, well the population here is 3000 and I think every one of them must have been to the doctors that morning, so we had to wait ages and ages. I wanted to leave after an hour but jim said it wouldn’t be much longer. (I am paying to wait, I get upset!!) Never mind. The good news is that it is an allergy rash (like I said) and as long as we do not sleep with ticks or fleas or whatever he should soon clear up.Spent most of the day travelling and reached Oamaru quite late but hope to go and see the blue penguins in a mo.