Sunday 7th February to Thursday 11th February

Hoping my 2 special friends at home in Liverpool are OK. Love to you both xx

Sunday 7th February

Hokitika

Well I'd typed lots of info about our stop here but unfortunately I somehow managed to delete it all so only brief details for Hokitika which is a shame as its got an interesting history.

Hokitika is a nice little town packed with history of shipwrecks, gold rush and the Maori finding the green jade (pounamu). The town has lots of craft shops making jewellery and sculptures

We stayed on Shining Star campsite 40$ with free WiFi and showers. We walked along the beach and as part of an arts festival in January sculptures are built from driftwood all along then left for the sea to reclaim at will.

Sam set up our BBQ and after a while a young couple pulled in next to us. They were in a whipped out their had cooker and had cooked and eaten their dinner before ours even went on! When our lamb chops were finally ready they did pass comment that they smelled delicious but they were probably hungry again by then! They were scrummy though.

The couple, Clare and Adrian are A&E doctors from London area but now living in Sydney. They came to join us for a drink after our meal then we walked across the road to glowworm dell. WOW. It was just beautiful. You could get up real close and they were really, really bright and lots of them. I swear you thought you could see the plough and Orion's belt when you were looking at them. Pure magic :)

Franz Joseph tomorrow

Monday 8th February
Franz Joseph
Waitangi day - a National holiday

Sam was treating me to a flight over the glaciers in Franz Joseph for my birthday present. We hadn't booked anything in case the weather wasn't too good. We had originally thought we would book 2 nights in this area but we were really lucky getting a flight booked. We'd only just arrived and our first stop was the flight office at 12.30 . He said 'I've got one in the runway waiting for take off with 2 spare seats so you can have that if you want' The next flight wasn't until 4 and it was beautiful weather so we opted to go straight away. The chap ran us down to the airfield and we climbed on board. Great for us but unfortunate for those already on board as they had to wait for us to get there and for our safety briefing but we were soon ready to take off. Now as you may know, I'm a bit of a scardy cat and when the pilot said don't lean on the doors, oh and he said to me, there may be a draft blowing through your door so here's a rag which may help, it did nothing to help. But putting the recent crash into these very mountains at the back of my mind, I prepared for take off. The plane had a cough and a splutter twice before kicking in, another reason to be a little nervous. But soon we were soaring over the mountains and glaciers and it was beautiful. We were really close (not as close as the helicopter, but didn't want to go on that). Franz Joseph, Fox, Mount Cook and many others. It was absolutely stunning. The plane seats 8 including the pilot and I thought the guy sitting next to him was the co- pilot but then I realised he was a passenger!! He had the best seat of all but I think we were on the best side for the views (apart from him of course).

Photos if the flight are in a separate album

The flight was 50mins in the air and cost 360$ each booked through air safari. Would recommend it.

Afterwards we walked the glacier path to get as close as is allowed. Not very close as it happens but there were some lovely waterfalls on the way. Walk took about 1.5 hrs. They have some markers showing where the glacier was so many years ago and its amazing how much its receded. We headed then to the smaller Fox Glacier. Had a peek but didn't do the walk up. Decided on our next stop and headed off

Only a few miles down the road this horrendous noise started. Sam said 'is it the pans rattling'. Haha, honestly, if you'd had heard it!! He looked under the van and the water tank was hanging off and trailing along the floor. Pans indeed! Water poring everywhere. No worries we've got the Britz phone number. Unfortunately, no signal! Sam spotted a farm house so set off walking there. I did what every good wife should do, put the kettle on. The house was empty so he headed for the house in the opposite direction. Luckily someone was home and they let him phone. The repair guy was out to us before we drank our tea but could only strap it up. We had to head back to Fox, luckily only about 20 mins. He has a garage workshop there so booked us in to have the work done in the morning at 9 am. There was a Top 10 holiday park nearby and we've heard good things about these sites but not stayed on one so were looking forward to a treat.

We booked in 48$ for the night with free WiFi. Our pitch was basically on a gravel carpark with electrics. There wasn't a bit of grass and it can only be described as grim and the WiFi didn't work either. The facilities were good for families but we thought it was horrible. No more Top 10s for us.

Wanaka tomorrow

Tuesday 9th Feb
Overcast
Heading to Wanaka

Waking up in the carpark isn't great but it served a purpose being near the garage and if you looked up instead of down, the mountains are good. Got there at 9 but they already had a car booked in for a repair as it was bank holiday yesterday so he had to get in with that one. While we were waiting we had a mooch around but nothing much here. Stopped for a coffee and just waiting for a phone call to say come and get it! While we were having our coffee the couple we met at Able Tasman walked in. They're on a different route than us and they did the heli-hike yesterday (helicopter drops you off on the glacier and you walk across it) and said it was brilliant

11.30 picked van up and ready for the off.

Lovely drive towards Wanaka stopping off at a few view points and a short walk to see Roaring Billy Falls and a 5min walk from the car park to Thunder Creek Falls a 28m high waterfall just before the gates of Haast. And its well worth a stop on the bridge to see where the river drops dramatically into the gorge. Spectacularly breathtaking.

Only 6 miles further is our next stop Fantail Falls. Lovely little stop only a few minutes walk from the car park. Lots of little stone cairns been piled up on the beach.

Next stop was the blue pools. Only 15 minute walk on a path through the trees from the carpark and WOW its really beautiful here. The water is sooooo blue and crystal clear. There's a rather high viewing platform at the mouth of the river and lots of young daredevils were jumping in. I'm sure you would be been with them if you'd been there Mike! There's a nice grassy area too where you could have a picnic.

Heading for our campsite at Lake Wanaka now. Mike had told us to make this a stop as he stayed there before and said its lovely

We got a good pitch where we could see the lake, only a 200 yards walk away. We'd had a busy day with stops and walks so it was almost 8 when we got there and a little chilly with the wind off the lake.

Looking forward to waking up to this lovely view in the morning

Wednesday 10th Feb
A beautiful morning at Lake Outlet, Wanaka

After breakfast we walked the path around the lake to Albert Town and had lunch in Albie's which was delicious then headed back. Around 7.5 miles round trip with views of the lake and little grassy spots to stop, rest and drink in the view.

When we got back we took our chairs and bottle of wine down to the lake for a while before tea.

Got to take the van back in tomorrow as its still losing water. Hopefully we won't have to wait long.

Thanks for the thumbs up Mike. Lovely site

Thursday 11th Feb
Glorious day
Heading for Te Anau today

After breakfast we went to the garage to have the van looked at. Grrrrr they hadn't been informed and it would be several hours before they could even look at it. So another phone call and were headed to Queenstown depot to see what they can do. We we're passing through Queenstown anyway but its a nuisance having to wait around for it to be sorted. Fingers crossed it'll be good to go this time.

Stunning mountain views driving on the summer route towards Queenstown. The mountain range is aptly named the remarkables! We stopped at the lookout at a height of 1750 metres above sea level with the first sight of Queenstown.

Went to the garage and it was just that the hose hadn't been clicked in properly. Hoping it's OK

A little further down the road we spotted a picnic area so pulled in. Gob smacking views of lake and mountains and the sun was blazing - just fantastic!

We're booking in at Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park. The weather has changed dramatically in the last few hours. Now it's very grey, misty and looks like rain.

Got a nice pitch with view of the lake and plenty of room beside us for table and BBQ. Went for a walk along the path by the lake into town about 15 mins. Nice little town with lots of cafes and restaurants and a small and large supermarket. Booked our cruise on The Milford Sound 89$ each. Got back to camp around 7 and set the BBQ up hoping it wouldn't rain. I'm loving popping the BBQ under the table to keep the chill off when we've finished cooking. I can feel myself wanting to find a few bits of wood to put on though. I've been very good and just kept to the coals. There was a bit of a shower after we'd finished eating so in true camper fashion, we put our kagools on and poured another glass of wine!

The facilities on this site are super excellent and I'd mark them15 out of 10 they're that good. 44$ a night powered site, free WiFi and free showers nice and hot with no 5 min cut off either.

Great to catch Rita tonight to wish her happy birthday in advance.

Milford tomorrow