My trip to the Antipodes

Hi All

It doesn't seem long since I left Carolyns but here"s my update.

I called in at Ashburton for gear, in particular a good waterproof jacket, which I was reasuringly told that it would not fail. Also bought stove and pots n pans. Mueslie, noodles of various flavours, more Our Mate (Overseas name for proper UK Marmite), to drive off the insects I'm led to believe. I am also well stocked with insect repellen as well!

It was a long and tiring journey and I was glad to eventually arrive at Mount Cook village. Heli flights cought my attention so off we go. superb flight in the evening sunshine around the mountains, landed on a galacier for the compulsory walk and lots of piccies and then off again around Mt Stewart and Mt Cook and los of others whose names escape me. Awesome close ups of rocky ridges, snow covered slopes and umpteen glaciers. Saw mountaineers, one a guy solo working his way very slowly sideways down a sharp snow ridge. The chopper pilot said that he would be having to work hard as the windspeed had risen very quickly up to a current 35 knots. It was then 5:30 and he had some way to go to get to the hut. Two others were roped on a nother peak and having to work equally slowly. The day before the choppers had ben searching to recover a body and there had already ben a few earlier in the month. I wished them all well. Great flight. Hope to be able to put a few photos on in a min.

From Mt Cook village a short road goes on up the valley towards the Hooker Glacier and finally to a campsite where I was I would see the mountains in the glorious ealy morning sunrise. The cloud came in as I was pitching my tent. My site was conveniently close to some dense bushes, should I be caught short in the night, and on a nice little patch of thick grass. Amongst my earlier purchases was acan of fly killer which was just as well as despite not being bitten whils pitching it the little sod were all lined up inside the tent once it was erected.

Mattress self inflated as described on the box. Tent went up no probs though just as well I'd already prictised in the dinig room! Made myself a cuppa using my new gas stove. It boiled very quickly and the condensed milk was nothing like as bad as I thought it might be.

Everything either stowed in the tent or the car boot and off back to the village again for a well deserved pint and beer battered fish n chips.

Slept well, suprisingly comfortable, and woke 6:30 to dreary cloudy sky, no sunrise but no rain either. Breakfast of plums, tea, meusli with banana and condensed milk. Should keep me going. Packed everything and then went tramping (NZ term for hill walking or treking) up the valley to the glacier lake. Plenty of others doing that stretch but I was on my onesome as I walked further up the valley, alongside the lake and under overhanging lose rock and shale that looked as if it would all avalanche down at any time. I was contemplating that in the event would I try to outrun it or jump into the lake. as the lake contained iceburgs i guessed that the temp would be cool and perhaps how long would I last. In the event it was well worth the effort and the extra addrennillin(how many ddds nnnns llls?) made it quite exciting too.

Long drive then down towards Queenstown. feeeling quite weary so stopped for a little doze. Decided to make for Wanaker instead. That would save an hour or thereabouts. Beter still I remembered Brian Lindores suggesting that Howea is a nice place to stay so thats how i finished up in the Howea Motel with a nice room looking out over the lake. The food was crap but the chat in the bar was good and I was invited to join in a party of candidates who had just finished a course on auronautics. Was introduced to a new drink involving a shot glass of that horrid underburg type stuff that Jennie and Samantha drinks, perched into a half glass of red Bull. The art is to drink both at the same time "in one" of course. My pool skills deteriorated.

Decided to book in for another night. Today, Friday, I drove down to Queenstown and checked out with Dept Of Conservation, DOC, about my tramp on Monday. Good info but must report back on Sunday to pick up tickets. They will then give an uptodate weather forecast and other tips. Sorted, more shopping then for good backwoods knife and a pair of Leki walking poles. Just time this afternoon to do THE jetboat ride. Fantastic and very wet.

Straight off from there to do THE Bungee. Too late, all booked up for the rest of the day. Booked in for 10:30 Sunday. Have also booked into a canyoning adventure for tomorrow, Saturday, 9:00 and all being well a waveboard trip down the rapids for Sunday afternoon.

That just about gets me up to date. Now for the photos.. and then off for a well desrved Injun and pint. 

bfn  Grandad