Lindis Pass & Balfour

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Monday 9th March - Set off for the Lindis Pass. Loved the colours of the shrub and grass covered mountains - each corner brought another wonderful view. The mountains looked a bit like plumped up duvets!! The other side of the pass there was a huge flat plain - one straight road went on for 6Km. Views were now appearing of Mt. Cook at the end of Lake Pukaki - Drove past Pukaki Airport which was one tiny shack and a small airstrip in a vast wilderness. Eventually reached Lake Tekapo to see the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Sheepdog memorial which was very moving as it commemorated the border collie without whom the high country couldn’t have developed as a sheep nation.

Nearby we had spotted a small road to the Mt John Observatory so thought we’d have a look. WOW - a small tiny road wound its way up a very high hill/mountain on top of which was the Observatory and gorgeous small tasteful café. Incredible views - a wonderful place. Another great day. Tomorrow we will be heading south to get close to Lake Manapouri ready for our overnight Doubtful Sound trip on Wednesday.

Tuesday 10th March - On our way south we diverted to the small town of Balfour - which many of you will know in respect of its connections with Swanage & Wareham Rugby Club. There has been a lot of twinning with players from both Rugby Clubs. Unfortunately the Balfour Tavern was closed when we were there(!) but we took lots of photos! (Will post Balfour photos on next Blog!)

Weather has deteriorated somewhat very wet and getting colder - they forecast snow down to 400M tonight so we will be packing our thermals and waterproofs for the overnight trip on Doubtful Sound!

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Photos

Looking down from Observatory
Sport the campervan - not ours!

Comments

[Fra]

Just to say Hello
Hi you two - what a fabulous trip you are having. We are looking forward to going down to Corfe in just over two weeks. I have started to ring Plain Hunting!! Lots of love from us all. xxx