3days without Internet or phones!

we will never complain about lack of Internet coverage in Europe again, this is the first signal we've had in 3 days, so a bit of catching up to do! We left Greymouth which in on the west cost for a drive inland heading towards Lake Rotoroa via Reepton and Mirchison through the picturesque Brunner Range to the edge of Lake Rotoroa in the Nelson Lakes Nation Park. We were plagued by mosquitoes, bees and wasps but had plenty of spray, and headed on a 3km walk called the Braeburn Walk up to a waterfall and back down through the village. from the edge of the lake we had spectacular views of the snow clad Travers mountain range, and another amazing sunset. on Monday we had a lengthy drive up to Nelson, which is the 2nd biggest town on the South Island, we then drove to Cable Bay, so named after the first telegraph lines were laid from Australia to New Zealand at cable Bay. The road to Cable Bay had experienced lots of land slips and was quite tricky on lots of parts. Tuesday we left Cable Bay and on recommendation visited Okiwi Bay another twisty windy road to navigate! We had a walk round and decided to move on to a DOC site at Pelorus Bridge which is in the Rai Valley, beautiful site, looked like someone's back garden, loads of walks and trails to follow - pictures to follow.

Greymouth

Coffee stop on the way to Greymouth

Fox Glacier Photos

Even though Chris didn't put it on the Blog I was very brave today going onto the Glacier!

Fox Glacier & Thermal Pools

An early start to get kitted up before we were bussed up to FOX GLACIER.....quite an awesome site and sitting in another dramatic valley.as part of a group of about 10 we walked from the car park to the Moraine Area and then when we reached the edge of the glacier we put on our crampons and then ascended on to the ice field. The FOx glacier covers a massive area up to the high mountains,most of it inaccessible unless on guided tours.Ice caves and crevasses cover the glacier and the constant trickle of melting ice all around. When we returned to Fox resort we drove down to Franz Josef Glacier and spent the afternoon in the thermally heated hot pools ....40degrees Celsius makes you realise what a lobster feels like when it's time for poaching!! An excellent NZCMA campsite around the corner, and a steak and sweet potato dinner with fresh corn on the cb, onions and mushrooms and a hearty glass of Mill Road Merlot Cabernet...a good choice!!

Photos of drive to Haast

Wanaka to Haast and onwards

Yesterday we visted Lake Wanaka, sadly it was wet and cloudy, so not a lot to see, but loads of goodies in the supermarket to stock up on. We got on the road heading in the direction of Haast. Amazing views all along the road, photos to follow, we were going to stop off at a Doc campsite (Department of Conservation) which looked good, these are sites where you pay a minimal cost for minimal amenities, no showers, we have one in the van, long drop toilets, don't even ask! Luckily we have our own, and no power, but when we got to the site there were loads of midges and it was starting to bucket down, so carried on to Haast and a proper campsite, which was absolutely packed by 4.00 by people taking refuge from the pouring rain. This morning woke up to blue sky and sunshine, as they say onward and upward, we are now at Fox Glacier on the South West coast with a beautiful evening. Had a great day visiting a very remote beach with flat rocks, which was 12 Kms off the main road called Gillespies beach, then a beautiful lake called Lake Matheson, which is where the Maoris used to fish for eels and trout, had a great walk round, now camped for the night on a very pleasant site, with Chris cooking dinner, even better! Tomorrow I'm going to be very brave and go for a walk on Fox Glacier!