Currently in Queenstown after a extended trip through the mountains. Met Sanday in Christchurch (small delay on flight) and got the van the next day from the centre of town. Headed off down South and soon hit the snow which was a slight problem as we decided to save $50 and not hire any snow chains. We stopped off before an icey slope and phoned the nearest town for any sort of chains, but unfortunatly no-one answered the phone. So we drove back to Fairlie in the hope of finding some shop with them in stock. Managed to purchase a set for $80 and we hope to make a profit at the end of our trip (actualy we're just happy to have a set).

The drive through the mountains was brilliant and Sanday must of taken about 100 pictures. There were a few points when we were slighty worried about the road and how wise it was to drive on tarmac with the chains but all is good so far. The only set-back was when the road through the Lindis Pass was closed and we had to stay in a wee vilage for the night, this turned out alright though as we met a nice English couple and had a meal with them in their warm motel.

The next day we made it through the Pass (after passing abandoned cars and trucks) and arrived in Queenstown for the start of Winterfest on Tuesday. Might try and make it down south to the Fiordlands and then back up for a few more days here.

bye.