Friday 12th February

Stopping near Milford for our trip in Milford Sound tomorrow

Had a few stops along the way to see some lakes and waterfalls. Mirror lake is lovely and just like a mirror. So much so, they even have a sign on it back to front so you can read Mirror Lake in the water.

Stayed at Cascade creek a DOC Site 12$ a night. No facilities except a long drop toilet but they did allow camp fires in the pit which was right by our van (how coincidental was that) yipeee! So off we went to gather wood. Luckily there was a woods, also by the van, so we got some good stuff. Had our BBQ tea first then we were ready to go. An estate car parked next to us. 2 blokes from Germany, Pascal and Stephan. They were travelling for the next 4 months. Met up while they were away. Bought the car and mattresses and all the stuff they'd need between them and here they are! Amazing! They're working when they can get it and they found a place where they could get some used pallets and made the base for the bed. Bought the mattress and voilà there good to go. I love speaking to these adventurous people (some would say interrogating). It just amazes me how they get around and see the world. All with different stories to tell. They came and joined us at the camp fire. Well by the time I had asked them their life story, I think they thought we were family!! They even went into the woods and came back with some pretty good logs.

There was also a nature walk at the site there which had plaques telling you about the plants and what their medicinal properties had been in the past.

The DOC sites don't usually have anyone there taking the money. They're usually just 6$ per person. You fill in a form with your name and address and the date you're staying and leaving, put the money in the bag provided and put it in a secure box. This particular site is the last one before Milford sound so it can get upto 120 vans per night so they do have a warden. The sign was very funny. It said 'please pay your dues in advance to avoid being woken up at 6am' what a friendly way to put it!

Milford Sound tomorrow

Saturday 13th February

Milford sound today.

Weather warm and clear

It's been a bit cloudy the past few days so we were really pleased today was clear. It was about an hour drive to Milford where we picked the boat up. The tunnel is very scary. A mile long, no lighting and just carved through the rock. In the day they have traffic lights so its only one way but after 8pm its two way. Think that would be very, very scary!!

From the car park its about 20 minutes walk to the pier along a walkway. The sandflies are a pest. Unfortunately I never thought to spray but someone kindly gave me some of theirs.

We were on the Milford Mariner, a sailing ship which you can also do an overnight cruise on. We took our picnic, although you could buy food on board, and free tea and coffee were available throughout the trip.

We set off at 10.30 and there was plenty of room to move around as there was only about 40 - 50 people on board. There was a commentary throughout and it was really clear. The guy was really funny too. We cruised one side of the fiord and out into the Tasman sea, then back the other side.

It was fabulous. Sheer granite cliffs, carved by centuries of ice erosion, towered into the sky and the majestic Mitre Peak appears to be guarding this amazing fiord. New Zealand is a land of myth and legend and Milfod sound is no exception. Legend has it Tu-te-raki-whanoa, carved out the fiords with an adze. He started at the far south and created a rough coastline with many islands, perfecting each time. By the time he reached Milford Sound he had perfected his technique and was satisfied by this awe inspiring fiord. However, the goddess of the underworld Hine-nui-te-po, came to see it and was so alarmed with the beauty, she worried that once people had seen it they would not want to leave the land. To encourage humans to leave, what could she do? So she invented the sandfly!! The wicked witch! These legends are brilliant aren't they.

We saw a cascading waterfalls, one was the Fairy Falls and was actually splashing in your face we got so close, and saw the fur seals lounging on the rocks. One was hysterical as he looked just like a sunbather, flat on his back with his flippers splayed out. Just laying there like that for ages. All he needed was a sun hat. All that and the magnificent mountains too, no wonder Rudyard Kipling described it as the 8th wonder if the world.

Did you know that the 'Sounds' i.e Milford and Doubtful (and the others) aren't really 'Sounds' at all. They're actually fiords. A sound is a flooded valley but a fiord is a valley carved out by glaciers. However, the English named them Sounds way way back and so, instead of renaming all the sounds, they've gave them a collective title of fiordland.

On our way back, we stopped off at the chasm and after a 20 minute walk we saw this beautiful raging torrent / series of waterfalls where granite has sculptured and scoured some impressive holes in the granite. Its kind of like a washing machine with stones in. Its washed round and round wearing the granite away into fabulous shapes. They look stunning. We also saw the cheeky Kea (birds like green parrots) who reminded us of the monkeys at the safari park. They were jumping on the cars and pecking at everything. Roof racks, anything on the roof rack, windscreen wipers, cable ties. Anything really!!

Got a lovely pitch at Manapouri Motorhome & Caravan park. 37$ with free showers and wifi.

A picture perfect campsite surrounded by mountains. Choice of gravel or grass pitches. Free BBQ area, like a bowling green with tables and chairs to use. Even the area to hang your washing had manicured lawns throughout and another added bonus, pegs! So often you put a wash on and go to the hanging area only to find one peg in the bag. I've bought my own now so in future I can put 2 whole pegs on each item instead of having to peg them together. Whoo hoo - living on the edge!!. It's a picture perfect site. Sam got his charcoal BBQ out and before he could strike a match the woman was over to inform him they have complementary bbqs for guests so he had to put it out

After several days on the go, Sam wasn't feeling too good so I put a wash on and we just had a snacky tea instead and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and booked in at Te Anau campsite for tomorrow. We've stayed there before and really like it and its only 30 mins drive so we can walk into town for tea and Sam can have a day off cooking and driving (well almost).

Te Anau tomorrow

Sunday 14th February

Lovely morning

Happy Valentines Day everyone

Te Anau today

Left Manapouri campsite and went to Frazer beach just down the road. Really peaceful here with the waves gently lapping the shore of Lake Manapouri and surrounded by mountains so we brought our chairs, kindles and some snacks down and stayed until 12.30 as we'd booked to return to Te Anau campsite at 1pm.

Had a wander round Te Anau to see where to go for our meal. There's a nice little harbour and you can even get a sea plane from there too. I love the way they have gas bbqs around the place which can be used for free and they don't seem to be abused either. There are lots of places to choose from to eat so we decided Italian.

We just relaxed at the campsite reading and admiring the view with a nice glass of wine (or two). We decided to eat out tonight as its Valentines day. We got chatting to Gill and Brian from Derbyshire and they came over to join us for a drink before we headed into town. Anybody ever seen a 7 seater bike before? No, neither have we, before today!! You could hire this bike called a spider with 7 seats, 42$ for 30 mins! I don't think I would like to try and steer it!! we had our meal at the Italian restaurant in town and Sam had pizza, and I had blue cod as recommended. It was very nice.

Invercargill tomorrow

Monday 15th February

Raining off and on this morning and somewhat cooler.

Heading for Invercargill via Tuatapere the sausage capital of New Zealand!

Driving the scenic route towards Invercargill with lots of golden fields. Some mountains visible but not like the majestic beasts we've been privileged to see lately.

Stopped for a walk over the Clifden suspension bridge. Opened in 1899 and all the concrete was mixed and poured by hand. There are a series of caves there too that you can walk in alone to explore but we gave that a miss.

Called at the info centre to find out more about the famous sausage. The original was made from paua (or abalone). Can't imagine that myself but I'm advised they were lovely but are no longer made so I'll never find out (thankfully). We did get a pack of the Sicilian spicy ones so will have to see if they are as good as they say.

We pulled off the road at McCracken's rest and lookout and I knocked up some nice sandwiches for lunch. I'm lovin' the convenience of the motorhome. Just pull over and put the kettle on and no need to hang on until you find a loo either. It's all here. Great. Think I'm going to miss it :(

Then a stop at gemstone beach which apparently got its name as lots of different gem stones, and even gold have been found here. Now, I'm sure I wouldn't even recognise a gem stone unless it was in a setting in a gold ring, but we braved the roaring wind to try our luck. There was barely a pebble to be found on the beach never mind rubies and then the rain started so we headed back empty handed.

Bucketing down with rain now so our stop at cosy nook was anything but. The scenery reminded us of Scotland and probably more so with the rain and wild weather!

We stopped at Invercargill and went into the museum. Don't know if you've seen the film, the world's fastest Indian but if you have, then you would recognise the motorbike in the film and if you haven't, give it a try. It's a good film. The gardens there are really nice too but as it was lashing down with rain, we didn't see them all

Stopped at Central City Campsite Invercargill

A nice grassy site @ 32$ free WiFi or you could buy extra for 2$. It was the best WiFi we've had. The only one that doesn't keep cutting out. Its within walking distance of town but due to the rain we didn't. Nice toilets and showers Sam still managed to BBQ he put it under the table to keep the rain off. Several people were in little tents next to us and had been cycling. Didn't fancy that myself but they looked like they'd enjoyed it even though it was still raining!

Catlin's tomorrow