Here we are at Franz Joseph, it is as far north as we are going up the west coast as we want to see some places further south as we cross back over to the east,we'll just have to come back and see the bits we've missed.

Well it is positively Glacial here, great skiing and snowboarding country, likely to get knocked down by either than a motor.We had a great journey up, never driven on roads like it in my life. I think Squid has as she was raring to go and I was hanging on for grim death, the waterfalls came from the top of the mountains and crashed at your feet, the noise was deafening,the next thing we were running along the beach then into lush fern dense bush,amazing.

We took a hike over the base of Franz Joseph Glazier,it was a wee bit on the chilly side but very exhilarating,it was a cosmopolitan group, the Spanish lady in front of me didn't speak English but I got the message she was worried about me and my short legs as some steps had been carved out of the ice but they were made for six footers,I used my crampons well but could have done with an ice axe.The only disappointing thing of the day was the Guide, he was a young chap full of himself and only made contact with the young members of the group,sadly he forgot that it is the older ones that tip for good service and as there were a few 30 plus years on the trip he didn't get any tips.

Heading south in the morning and intend to stay at Wanaka overnight then start crossing the country to the east.