Hello from a sunny/rainy/windy/cloudy/clear Queenstown! (The weather has been a bit indecisive today)

We've not got a lot to say today as we've spent most of the day sat on our arses in a coach travelling the 250+ km from Franz Josef to Queenstown. Luckily the driver was NOT scary psycho Steve - we were assured he had headed back up north the previous day, and only does that particular run so we were unlikely to meet him again (Phew!).

The journey was very scenic, and the driver (Richard) was very good at stopping for photo opportunities along the way. We had a fascinating commentary about the local trees, dairy farms, wildlife, price of milk solids, flowers, price of cattle, destinations, decline of sheep farming, and the cost of converting your farm from beef/sheep to dairy production (circa $15 million...!) We both feel like we are ready to go and start milking our own cattle now :-P We passed loads of rivers, gorges, mountains and lakes and have to say it was probably the best (and most educational) coach trip we've ever been on.

So we checked in to our luxury B&B about 4:30, and haven't really moved off the bed since. No - we are not up to naughty business, its just we dont actually HAVE to move; we can see both the mountains and the lake with the little boats bobbing up and down from the comfort of our bed. Nathan has very dutifully booked a hot tub for Tuesday night, and has come up with an ingenious way to dry our still wet walking boots (it involves a hairdryer on full whack) We still dont know where we are going to eat tonight, but we passed lots of decent looking restaurants on the way here :-)

Have got a full day trip tomorrow along the river Dart, as far as we can remember it involves a jet boat (Eeeeek!!!!), bush hike and then an off road 4x4 drive - better make sure our boots are dry then!

Love to you all :-) Natalie and Nathan (and Ernie) x x x x