Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to say we're in Mt Cook village. We've added some new photos, but the internet is really slow so we shall add some captions later. We'll put a proper blog up later as well.

No broadband up here so will have too be quick. Peel Forest was brill. We stayed in a nice DOC campsite which had showers and everything! We did a few walks around that area (see pics) but after a couple of days it started to rain. Tent was only JUST managing to stay waterproof so we decided to move on to Lake Tekapo ( or Take a poo as Matt has affectionally called it).

Lake Tekapo was rainig when we arrived but still beautiful. Matt put the tent up in the rain whilst I stayed in the car (how gentlemanly!). Discovered Kiwi's love Coronation Street. Rubbish! Walked up Mt John to the observatory on top (1030m). Tried to go to a stargazing tour at night but it never happened. Matt and I just used his binoculars. You could see loads, including the Milky Way (just) as there is no light pollution. Weather remained beautiful. After a couple of days we moved onto Mt Cook.

We decided to treat ourselves and stay in a Youth Hostel in a Dorm. on our first day we went Kayaking around Mt Sefton Glacier. water freezing but well worth it. there were Iceburgs and bits falling off the Glacier. We even saw a mini avalanche on the mountain. We'll put these photos up soon. going to stay in Mt Cook for a few more days as lots of walks to do. Camping tonight in another DOC campsite.

Slowly getting a tan. Matt's even changed colour... shock, horror. Having lots of fun. Trangia is a life saver. PG tips over here is rubbish and definately not the same!

Love to all,

Jo and Matt

Lake Tekapo was amazing.

After a rather chilling night, we went onto the Hooker Valley Walk. It was a nice gentle walk to the Hooker Glacier, but quite tiring in the heat. We thought we could go and cool off swimming in the 'blue pools', which are pools of trapped rainwater near the Tasman Glacier so they're temperature is bareable. These turned out to be sludgy green ponds which sucked your feet down, not very relaxing! We decided to treat ourselves to our first evening meal out. We went to the 'Old Mountaineers Cafe'. They served massive tasty portions and had an amazing view of Mt Cook. Unfortunatly for Matt, they played the hits of Simply Red all evening.

On our last night, the Keas (large intelligent mountain parrot) decided our tent was breakfast. Jo woke up at 4am to find a large group of them taking our tent to pieces! So we decided we needed a new tent!

xx