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Published: November 18th 2008
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We were up early, drove into Kaikoura to use the toilets and clean up. We met a couple from London, Mark and Fiona. Mark was an avid bird-watching so we ended up chatting for a good hour n a half.
We then hit the road and spent the rest of the day driving. We finally decided to pull into a camp site on the river Rakaia which claims to some of the best Salmon fishing in the World. From the photos displayed in the kitchen I believe them!
I also filmed a Tomtit (a small black n white birdie) which as far as I know has only been recorded in the North Island, this according to all the reference books I’ve read. I shall look into this; I may have recorded another first for ornithology, not bad eh.
I had the use of a proper kitchen so I went to town and made a Spag Bol, spot on it was to. Pilar then crashed out and I sat up writing blog notes, hitting the sack at 1am.
About midday we hit the road again for the long drive to Lake Tekapo. We passed through the small town
of Geraldine. The towns claim to fame is the World’s biggest woolly jumper, they must be so proud, I accelerated through.
The scenery is getting more dramatic by the mile. When we turned a corner just past Fairlie and both gasped as the snow capped mountain range that came into view. When we finally came down the hill into Lake Tekapo & were greeted by the bluest lake I’ve ever seen, way beyond any artist’s palette, again with a backdrop of snow capped mountains. To think people actually live and wake up in places like this!
We stopped and of course took photos. Pili wanted to check out the church of the good Shepard which was on the lake shore. I led the way and had a good look around.
NAAAAAA I didn’t fool anyone who knows me did I, I did consider taking a wiz on the steps but thought better of it.
In the car park we met an Irish couple, Tom and Emma. We discussed the price of fuel and dodgy van rental companies. Then I suggested we park up around the lake and make camp. It was getting bloody cold and we were
Church of the Good Shepard
I hope his sheep felt the same! starving plus I needed a beer.
Dinner was served at 8pm promptly, potato slices cooked in virgin olive oil, black pepper and a sprinkle of parmesan, cooked until crispy on the edges, 3 veg and chicken patties. Eat your heart out Jamie Oliver; I’m getting a dab hand at this alfresco cuisine. A couple of beers with Tom, as he and Emma shared stories about their trip to Australia, then it became to cold to think so we all retired. It rained quite hard during the night but at dawn we had blue skies.
Morning, and a quick toast of coffee, we said our goodbye and headed to the information centre so that I could use the internet. Pili spoke to her mom and Miguel and we both spoke to my mom on her web cam. We even said hello to Barny dog, he could hear my voice and started to look around for us. I shouldn’t mess with his head really but we just miss him so much. Of course we miss you to mom.
At midday we headed for Lake Pukaki, which is about three times the size of Tekapo. Again so beautiful it’s surreal.
The weather forecast had said that it was going to rain today and be great on the weekend when we planned to hike around Mount Cook, WRONG!! The sky was cloudless. I had previously decided to park up around the lake, write and sort through my photo files for the blog. Pilar wisely pointed out that it would be stupid to waste such a glorious day and that we should do our walk around New Zealand’s highest mountain, instead of waiting for tomorrow and possibly another wrong weather forecast. Of course she’s right.
We drove around the huge lake, approx 1hr and reached the towering Mount Cook (Aoraki). There are several tracks to choose from. The first one we did was the Tasman River track to the 2 blue lakes, plus a larger lake with icebergs, at the foot of a glacier. To be honest the 2 blue lakes were more sludgy green than blue, maybe because of the previous nights down pour had washed sediment into them, I won’t hold it against NZ, or will I?
The next track was the Kea Point track. This lead to another glacier lake called Mueller Lake, much of the
same but with some very impressive views of the Mueller Glacier and the mountain range. My camera clicked into action again. On return to the van Pilar decided she wanted to do one more track, The Hooker Valley track (I can hear people sniggering) I decided to hang back at the van and work on my photos, Pili went on her own for the one hour trek to the Hooker. At this point I will refrain from further school boy jokes but surely someone must have been taking the piss, Hooker Valley, what next, Lady Boy Mount, come on!!!
While waiting in the car park, downloading photos I was visited by the rare Rock Wren and a couple of Riffle Men, New Zealand’s smallest bird. Sorry guys you know this really floats my boat; it’s like porn with feathers.
We ended the day worn out and drove back to Lake Pukaki and parked up on the shore line among some pine trees, a perfect end to a superb day
Tomorrow the World’s rarest wading bird, The Black Stilt!! I’m off to bed; I don’t think I’ll sleep though, EXCITED!!!!
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