Residence Lake Tekapo

Trundling away from the Akaroa volcanoes, it was off to the Canterbury plains en route to Methven. This is a strange part of NZ, ironing-board flat farmland with huge hedges as windbreaks and ruler-straight roads - almost empty, although we did encounter our first flock of sheep and were completely surrounded for a few woolly moments.

We like Methven as it is a ski town - so when we are there it is blissfully out of season, in fact apart from the owners ...

We intended to head off to Queenstown on the 11th, but as Lake Tekapo is so beautiful and there were still things to be done we just had to stay another night.

On the 10th we discovered a new Spa facility, just 2mins walk from our camper. Open from 10am to 10pm we decided we'd buy a day pass so we could return for the evening to stare at the night sky from a 37degree pool.

After a first visit to the Spa we had lunch and drove up to Mt John - this could be walked as its just ...

... and swung! All quite legit as well, we were honest and put our $10 in the box and sallied forth.
All was forgiven about the car choice as I don’t run to a set of golf clubs in my car, not even a single golf club in fact. Something before I would have considered right but you know spontaneous golf should catch on. None of this exclusivity, deferent shoes and bizarre dress I’ve always associated with the sport, just rock up and play!

Leaving chilly Methven behind us we made the scenic drive to Lake Tekapo. The drive was incredible, as you twist and turn your way around the foot of the mountain the lake comes into view. A beautiful turquoise colour as bright as you could imagine surrounded by white tipped mountains and cascading green countryside. I have seen a few amazing things on our trip but I was totally unprepared for this. It really did take your breath away, the pictures just ...

... sheepdog monument erected in honour of all the sheepdogs which had helped to open up the sheep farming area. ''The famous sheep dog statue on the lake’s edge is in memory of the hardy mustering dogs “without the help of which the grazing of this
mountainous country would be impossible.”

The church was closed til the following morning but the sunset was worth waiting for. A wooded open fire was burning in the backpackers ...

... and travelled about 800m to an access spot for a pedestrian suspension bridge over the raging river. Great fun & got some good photox here. SquawJenny decided against the bridge, leaving Ol' Dolly & I to forge on across. Bouncy little bugger! Drenched through, we hopped back in the wagons and continued towards Milford Sound.  A couple of more happy-snappy stops and we were at "The Tunnel". In true pioneering spirit I shot straight in, with guns ablaizin'. There was some sort ...

... The ride in is pretty great, but it was even better looking up at mountains we'd just walked through. We passed through the Homer tunnel carved through the mountains to get to Milford. 20 tons of dynamite had been used on each meter of the tunnel. Milford Sound is the most famous, most photographed place in New Zealand. You've all seen the photos, just look it up on Wikipedia. Mostly of Mitre Peak. What they don't tell you ...

... use all the old buildings for nice things cafes, art galleries. The Art Centre is a beautiful courtyard of old buildings and all things arty including a lovely tiny arts cinema. The botanical gardens are vast and impressive- currently running a festival of flowers. Our groggy travel mood has lifted and we willingly have an early night after a trip to the local supermarket.

... o terreno de lagartas, e bastante divertido!). Depois do Antartic Centre deixámos finalmente a cidade e rumámos a Sul. O nosso primeiro dia de viagem năo nos pareceu muito auspicioso, choveu o dia todo e a visibilidade esteve bastante má, pelo que, para além da estrada, năo vimos nada. Passámos a noite em Geraldine, onde também parámos num supermercado bara abastecer a carrinha de víveres, e no dia seguinte fomos visitar a floresta Peels, ali perto. O tempo ...

Today we got off the boat, But because I didn't get to bed until 4 I slept through 3 announcements. I woke up as they announced floor 7. So quickly dressed and ran up barefoot. But I passed and I was allowed to enter the country. Then it was a bus ride to the airport where I picked up the new NZ mobile and left the luggage. Because ...