Definitely Not for Us

We were unable to get into Queenstown because the traffic was so bad. We queued for some time and then couldn't find anywhere to park. We had to satisfy ourselves with a quick look around as we drove. This is the only place that we have had such issues.

We did however manage to view one of the popular Queenstown activities namely Bungy jumping.

Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge is located a few miles out of Queenstown over the Kawarau River.

It was built in 1880 and was a significant link in the gold fields. 

Since it's closure in 1963 and the building of the new bridge it has become a commercial Bungy site and was indeed the site of the first commercial jump.

The Bungy drop is 43 metres which is not as high as some. It is a popular spot for a dip in the river.

There was no dipping in the day we visited. There had been a lot of rain and the river was very churned up. A head dipped in would have been pretty dangerous judging by some of the debris floating along. The victims were gently lowered into a boat.

There seemed to be plenty of volunteers. I have to admit to feeling quite sick when I watched the first one.

This was definitely not for us but then we knew that already.

A wander round was enough for us.

Enjoying Our Christmas Present

When our older daughter was on holiday she visited the beautiful Lake Tekapo. When she knew that we too would be visiting she treated us to a very special Christmas present. She gave us two day passes to the Tekapo Springs.

These pools are settled into the hillside overlooking the lake.

There are 5 pools in total. The two green ones are cooler aqua play pools.

One slightly cooler than the other.

Then there are 3 pools named Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki after local lakes and shaped accordingly.

The temperature in them is 37, 38 and 39 degrees.

We enjoyed ourselves so much in the morning that we were back after a walk to have a second session. Put it on your list of things to do in New Zealand. You won't be disappointed!

I shall save the pictures of Lake Tekapo for another day.

It's Monday : Postcards Just for You

Sending another wave to Sian from down under. My little item of post arrived during the week so that has given me the chance to send you all some post.

So here we are a few postcards just for you from New Zealand so that you can all enjoy a bit of our holiday.

I have included a few postcard favourite phrases.

Having a lovely time.

Wish you were here!

Been on a boat trip.

The weather is great.

Thought of you!

Very windy around here.

The views are fabulous!

Hope you all have a great week. 

A Scenic Drive

Our drive from Wanaka to Queenstown was one of the most beautiful we have done. We drove through Cardrona and along the Crown Range Road. When in Wanaka the lupins were over but higher up they were a sight to be seen.

Somethings so tricky to grow in a garden just growing wild.

We then had a spectacular descent towards Queenstown.

It was actually snowing as I got out to take these!

How Important is a reflection?

One of the walks we did when staying at Fox Glacier was around around Lake Matheson. This beautiful walk is famous for its reflections in the lake of the surrounding mountains including Mount Cook. It is a lovely up and down walk around the lake through rainforest with Suprise vistas across the lake.

The dampness is evident in the moss, lichen and fungal growth.

Alas for us there were no real reflections.

There were in fact no real views of the mountains.

However there was no rain and even a little blue sky.

It was despite the lack of view a lovely walk.

With something different around every corner.

A Name Change

Today I am returning to Cape Foulwind to show some more of the photos we took while we were there. There were quite a few comments about this name and I thought you would be interested to know that Abel Tasman was actually the first European to sight this headland on 14th December 1642. There is an astrolabe mounted on the cliff path to commemorate this. This kind of instrument  which he would have used if I remember correctly measured position by latitude by measuring the sun at a certain time of day.

Abel Tasman named this headland Rocky Cape but Cook later changed it to Cape Foulwind because his ship was blown out to sea here.

Something else that we saw here which there seem to be far less of in New Zealand is this.

No not the farmer but a stile. My friend who has moved out here told us that one thing she really misses is the network of paths and bridleways that weave all over Great Britain many of which go back hundreds of years and have become public right of ways. There are plenty of paths and tramping ways but she says there are few over private farmland like we are used to.

Then of course I wanted to show you a few of the fur seals at the colony I mentioned.

Then this last one we saw today on Doubtful Sound. More about that another day!

Water Everywhere

My friend who lives north of Auckland contacted me to see if we had been effected by the "weather bomb" hitting the South Island. She said that they were suffering a drought and waiting for more more to be delivered. If only I could send her some!

 Our journey from Fox Glacier to Wanaka was wet. The spectacular scenery of the Haast Pass was generally lost to us. The plus side? The water effects and waterfalls were beautiful. Here are a few I took.

Haast Visitor Centre.

Along the way.

The rain had a beneficial effect on the Rainforest.

There were plenty of misty views.

In Wanaka itself we managed a virtually dry walk.

Oh I forgot to say that the postman has brought my new card reader for my IPad. Hurrah!