Friday 2 July 2010

Another day to remember! Am sitting up in bed at 7:45am with frost on the ground refusing to get out of bed until the sun is up! It's Saturday and we begin the journey towards home! Couldn't log on last night but did download a FEW photos but need to be connected to get onto the BLOG. So decided to write about yesterday sitting up in bed and yes I have put the electric blanket on!! Ken has gone for breakfast already and I am told the car is frosted over!

As I write the sky is turning that wonderful yellow, pink glow. Yesterday as I watched the sun literally moved up over the mountains and was so bright I had to look away. After breakfast we walked down to the Lake and to the small Chapel right by the lake side. The story is that a shepherd had stolen a flock of sheep and with his dog, Friday [!] walked and found the lake and the secluded surrounds. Everything is named after him ie Mackenzie. We got picked up just before 10:00am for our flight. Another couple joined us and as we waited I discussed going over the Milford Sounds as well as I heard someone mention it and I had thought that you could only fly there from Queensland. Well it appeared the young couple on our flight were also interested but the cost put them off. Not to be deterred, with Ken's eyebrow raised we discussed the possibility. Unfortunately there was low cloud over the west and they said I wouldn't get many photos so sorry Roger, I did try! We then discovered whilst chatting with the pilots that the temperature the night before had been - 8 degrees!!! We had been nice and warm but the young couple had been in a hire camper van with just sleeping bags!!

So off we went in our single engine plane just like going to Aiome [PNG] but we suspect this aircraft wasn't held together with tape and had more services!!

I cannot think of appropriate adjectives to describe that hour! The mountains were so clear and we could see the west coast as well so easily. I took an hours worth of photos [Edexcel that was the best thing you ever did for me, give me my camera!!]. When we returned to earth in both senses of the word I said to the pilot, "Don't tell me that you've had a better flight!!?]" He admitted it was one of the best as there wasn't even any wind up there so no bumps.

On the ground one of the pilots had looked out some cards of Milford Sound to give me for Chris and Roger!!

Driving back to the hotel to pick up the car we were so quiet almost so as not to break the spell. And so we drove on to Twiszel where we have stayed the night. Found a lovely bistro and had lunch and walked back there for dinner. When we walked home the stars were SO clear but they were too shy to let me take their picture!

Nice warm bed and no Rugby on TV! Unfortunately Ken found Dancing on Ice!!!! So I was forced to watch as part of my orientation for home!! Hadn't a clue who any of the celebrities were thank goodness and even Sharon thingy I thought was the runner!!!

8:09am so had better move myself. Although the heatings on it is cold for me and I am tempted to do what I did as a child on cold mornings and get dressed in bed!!!! Only kidding honestly!!!

We plan to drive back a slightly different way although we do have to go back to Lake Tekapo first. Hopefully in Geraldine I can pick up a giant fir cone that has been treated so it can come to the UK. Haven't told you that at the airport I had my driftwood taken and a wooden pot , complete with a wasps nest inside [!] to be fumigated!!!So we need to pick them up in Auckland! Can you just see Ken's face? Monday we will get the ferry at 10:00am so we can see the scenery. Then the drive up the east coast to Commandel to feast on fish for the last time and as suggested by Roger as part of our itinerary.

We have enjoyed NZ so much and on the whole have found fabulous food, lovely hotels and the scenery unrivalled. Roads are empty so traveling is so pleasant. And one of the features I find interesting is that the air is so clear you feel as if you can see each leaf on the trees! Very sharply focused. Quite strange.

So Ken is back, the third coffee just arriving and the sun is just about to pop up from behind the mountains as a bright yellow globe. Magical! [Car still frosted over I'm told but I need to move myself!] Am told it's lovely and warm in the room!! [I don't think so SO keep some of that sunshine you're having for me].

Sun has appeared!
Friday 2 July 2010
Another day to remember! Am sitting up in bed at 7:45am with frost on the ground refusing to get out of bed until the sun is up! It's Saturday and we begin the journey towards home! Couldn't log on last night but did download a FEW photos but need to be connected to get onto the BLOG. So decided to write about yesterday sitting up in bed and yes I have put the electric blanket on!! Ken has gone for breakfast already and I am told the car is frosted over!
As I write the sky is turning that wonderful yellow, pink glow. Yesterday as I watched the sun literally moved up over the mountains and was so bright I had to look away. After breakfast we walked down to the Lake and to the small Chapel right by the lake side. The story is that a shepherd had stolen a flock of sheep and with his dog, Friday [!] walked and found the lake and the secluded surrounds. Everything is named after him ie Mackenzie. We got picked up just before 10:00am for our flight. Another couple joined us and as we waited I discussed going over the Milford Sounds as well as I heard someone mention it and I had thought that you could only fly there from Queensland. Well it appeared the young couple on our flight were also interested but the cost put them off. Not to be deterred, with Ken's eyebrow raised we discussed the possibility. Unfortunately there was low cloud over the west and they said I wouldn't get many photos so sorry Roger, I did try! We then discovered whilst chatting with the pilots that the temperature the night before had been - 8 degrees!!! We had been nice and warm but the young couple had been in a hire camper van with just sleeping bags!!
So off we went in our single engine plane just like going to Aiome [PNG] but we suspect this aircraft wasn't held together with tape and had more services!!
I cannot think of appropriate adjectives to describe that hour! The mountains were so clear and we could see the west coast as well so easily. I took an hours worth of photos [Edexcel that was the best thing you ever did for me, give me my camera!!]. When we returned to earth in both senses of the word I said to the pilot, "Don't tell me that you've had a better flight!!?]" He admitted it was one of the best as there wasn't even any wind up there so no bumps.
On the ground one of the pilots had looked out some cards of Milford Sound to give me for Chris and Roger!!
Driving back to the hotel to pick up the car we were so quiet almost so as not to break the spell. And so we drove on to Twiszel where we have stayed the night. Found a lovely bistro and had lunch and walked back there for dinner. When we walked home the stars were SO clear but they were too shy to let me take their picture!
Nice warm bed and no Rugby on TV! Unfortunately Ken found Dancing on Ice!!!! So I was forced to watch as part of my orientation for home!! Hadn't a clue who any of the celebrities were thank goodness and even Sharon thingy I thought was the runner!!!
8:09am so had better move myself. Although the heatings on it is cold for me and I am tempted to do what I did as a child on cold mornings and get dressed in bed!!!! Only kidding honestly!!!

We plan to drive back a slightly different way although we do have to go back to Lake Tekapo first. Hopefully in Geraldine I can pick up a giant fir cone that has been treated so it can come to the UK. Haven't told you that at the airport I had my driftwood taken and a wooden pot , complete with a wasps nest inside [!] to be fumigated!!! So we need to pick them up in Auckland! Can you just see Ken's face? Monday we will get the ferry at 10:00am so we can see the scenery. Then the drive up the east coast to Commandel to feast on fish for the last time and as suggested by Roger as part of our itinerary.
We have enjoyed NZ so much and on the whole have found fabulous food, lovely hotels and the scenery unrivalled. Roads are empty so traveling is so pleasant. And one of the features I find interesting is that the air is so clear you feel as if you can see each leaf on the trees! Very sharply focused. Quite strange.
So Ken is back, the third coffee just arriving and the sun is just about to pop up from behind the mountains as a bright yellow globe. Magical! [Car still frosted over I'm told but I need to move myself!] Am told it's lovely and warm in the room!! [I don't think so SO keep some of that sunshine you're having for me].
Sun has appeared!

Sorry it came more than once! The vagaries of IT!