Well we left hotel in Christchurch -very helpful taxi driver who gave us advice both on area and driving camper van. Got to rental site -name different to what Tailor-made originally told us (We thought it was Kea but it was Pacific Horizon) . After instruction on use drove off towards Queenstown (Oamaru). Van was rough more like rent-a-wreck with 165,000 km on the clock - underpowered and a bit tatty - with such a mileage and driven every week or other week by tourists you can guess what the gearbox was like - after 4 hours got to site in Oamaru - not very good - we made decision to abort van and drove back to Christchurch- had to stay overnight at B&B to save problems with returning van. Got to Van rental site at 10-30am Thursday. Then went over to airport and rented car from Budget- got RAV4 at normal car price. Our advice on camper van rental is to seek a guarantee on mileage and / or age and also to seek out small quality overnight sites- also to be aware that although the legal speed limit everywhere is 100kph, for camper vans it is 90kph, so in such a large country you have to bear this in mind in planning schedules and routes.

Took different route this time from camper van and went inland over mountains and hills via Geraldine-stopped for snack lunch and give us time to ring hotels in Queenstown -big problem after 6 tries got room for one night only in Novotel. February is the height of their season for holidays from foreigners. Drove to Queenstown via scenic route past Mount Cook. The lakes and rivers here are all a very bright turquoise blue and being a clear day we had fantastic views of Mount Cook. The fields are very dry and many have water system on just to help grass grow for animals. Yes sheep but also many fields of cattle and deer, as well as alpacas. Enjoyable but long drive. Hotel fine and went for meal at Lucianos in Queenstown which was recommended to us by the Essex lady on crater top in Christchurch. Queenstown very pretty set on lake with mountains in background, temp en route went up to 29 but down to 25 here. A bit cooler this Friday morning

Tried next morning to get room in Te Anau for 2- 3 nights so we can do both Doubtful and Milford Sounds but after 8 calls can only get room for tonite(Friday). We are going there any way and use Information Centre to help for Saturday.

Peg getting a bit stressed by constant packing and unpacking -hopefully this will improve after the weekend.

Off to sightsee en route to Te Anau. Emma is en route to Hamilton where she should arrive today - Friday.

Bryan