A day in the life

Posting this whilst we are on Stewart Island (found the bit where you can schedule these posts in advance) for 4 days over New Year - don't think there will be time or facilities for much internet.

On the longest day of the year, 21st December, (down here) I thought I would list what we have done. A typical travel day for those attempting to circle NZ in 3 or 4 weeks - fortunately, we have a lot longer this time and this isn't a usual travel day. Normally we would just drive half a day and do something or a walk either before or after travelling. But yesterday ...

• Breakfast at the hostel - juice, cereals, toast, local honey, tea/coffee. We self cater for all breakfasts and take the stuff around with us - perhaps winding down on lunch/dinner items before a travel day. But the coolbox from Ron and Sheila is great for keeping milk etc until the next stop and a new fridge.


• Leave Fran Josef in brilliant sunshine after 2 days mountain weather - saw the snow covered tops and drove 10 mins down to Lake Matheson again to get the view of Mt Cook in the distance. See previous blogs and photo in the mist and rain. No time for walk this time.


• Drove down West Coast with lots of scenic stops and coffee stop at Haast (we stayed a night there last time) then up and over the tops, eastwards, and fantastic scenic drive among mountains and lakes inland.


• Stopped at various recommended little scenic places - NZ does these so well - if you have no time to do bigger walks then these will get you into the bush, waterfalls, lakes and rivers for 10 to 40 minutes - all signposted with the time and easy walking paths. A great way to get a taste of the scenery that is there for the biggger walks.


• Lunch at the top with another great info centre (DOC - Dept of Conservation - great displays of local old photos, walks, geolpgy and everything you need to know about tramping). Decided a trip in plane to the remote valley, walk 3 hrs and jet boat out may be good Xmas present for a few weeks time when we return to the area.


• Down to Lake Havea - fantastic views and a complete change in terrain and climate from the wet West Coast - dry arid and looking a bit like the Lake District only bigger and, dare I say it, better. Deep blue and turquoise lakes.


• On to Wanaka, where we stayed last time and loved it and will stay a few more days here in a few weeks. Superlative lakeside town with massive views and glorious sunshine.


• Then more driving to Arrowtown - just before Queenstown. Recommend anyone stays here rather than brash and noisy Q. Lovely old style town with upmarket restaurants, shops and cafes and bars. Very peaceful.


• Got to hostel - a few yards from the main street and river. Peaceful and a great welcome after a days driving - converted house and owners just left a note for us - we went to our room and will settle up for washer, internet and rooms when we next see him - lovely and trusting.


• Sat in rose garden for half an hour then into town - discovered great little cinema - comfy armchairs, take your wine and chesse in with you. Decided to see film at 6 pm - dash back to room, take out washing load, shower and return for wine on balcony overlooking hills in sun.


• After film went downstairs for pizza (first meal out for 2 weeks) and still light when got back in at 9.30 pm.


• Typical day on the road!! All days will be like this if attempting to see both islands in a short time - on the road all day, every day.

Can you get sick of views? A Happy New Year to all our Readers

Been on 2 magnificent walks in the last few days around Te anau area

now the weather has cleared - the camera is overheating with views - so just a few for you to ponder over during the new year - there are a few posts to come on scheduled dates but we will be on Stewart Island and out of internet existence for a while.

Stuart - you get the award for the saddest person reading this blog - you claim to have looked over the 400+ photos on my Picasa Web Album! There are yet more views for all of you in the Album - so check out the sun and mountains whilst you are freezing away in the UK.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

Beaches and bush

After 6 days in the very north of South Island and then 3 days at Motueka near the wonderful Abel Tasman NP, we are leaving for the West Coast and mountains and more fantastic coastal walking.  It's just endless perfect days for us.

Have done some great walks from 10 minutes to 8 hours in the 2 areas (Golden Bay and Tasman), along windswept empty beaches and endless bush -  and taken a step back in time to the 1970's.  

If there is an art form or healing or type of massage that's not here, then it doesn't exist!  But then you see the scenery and the peace and isolation and it all makes sense.

But with such beautiful spots they are gradually getting pushed to the outer limits to retain the seclusion - unless you spot yet another way to make money out of tourists - but how many of us really want to go on a course "Feltmaking for the feet"?

Westport is our next stop - also reputed to be full of artists, potters and woodcarvers - and probably rain, so there may be more time to do a bit more blogging.

Eat your heart out

At least this is what this Harrier is doing! - A nice bit of roadkill - yum, yum

Or you could eat your heart out at this brilliant cafe (yet another one - Paddlecrab cafe) at the very northernmost tip of South Island - amazing views of the sand spit and some great walks nearby with more gorgeous beaches and an endless variety of walks

The piccie below is the garden at our YHA at Takaka - great for relaxing and eating our evening meals

71 km - 4 days - 5* walk

Just completed the Queen Charlotte Track hike over 4 days (can be done in less or parts of it in one day hikes.  Fantasic views every turn of the track and some wonderful places to stay along the way - + the water taxi takes you main bags from place to place for you - very civilised.

We did get to test out the rain gear on the first 2 days - (trousers and boots fine - jackets a bit damp by the end of the day).  Now spending today washing muddy trousers and boots in the very north of the South Island (Takaka) in between 2 National Parks.  The picture below is typical of the bush we walked through for 4 days but with open views of all the bays every turn and viewpoint.  A must see for all NZ visitors - if only for a day cruise and short walk along the shores.

Met up with two lovely couples from Perth along the way - good company and a final Indian meal together to celebrate in Picton.

Great cafe - On the way to Picton we stopped at probably the best ever cafe (and we have checked out a few in our time!) - The Store at Kekerengu - great food, coffee, log fires, overlooking outstanding coastline, decking, great music, lovely garden - perfect place.