My trip to the Antipodes

After a very full Injun and a couple of jars last night sleep was difficult and tummy still churning away. However, 6:30 this morning woke to sun starting to touch the mountains across the lake and it has been good weather all day. Drove down from Hawea to Wanaka in plenty of time to join up with 2 other guys Frank and / (it'll come!) and our guide Annette for the canyonning trip. Drove up the valley to Niger canyon. walked up the hill for about 30-40 mins and then started in the canyon. Deep sided, big falls 5, 10, 20+ metre drops. Mostly abseil but others "base jump" into deep cold pools. Bit of swimming and some bum and belly slides. All kitted ourt with wetsuits , helmets and old soft shoes and Annette was a brilliant guide. Frank and his girlfriend ? (still hasn't come!) were from Rotterdam. Annette from Sydney. Big jumps, big dive even... no probs. The descent took best part of four hours and was fun all the way. About 300m of fall from start to finish.

Bungy tomorrow 10:30 followed by whitewater boarding at 2 o'clock. Should be another fun day. long drive after to Kinloch Lodge, where I shall be starting my 5 day trek up and over the mountains carrying everything on my back.. bit daunting but so far so good. Hope to send a farewell message tomorrow night but if not... speak again Friday!

I gather that the weather in Suffolk is still pretty awful. I don't feel at all guilty but wish you were all here with me.   bfn   Grandad

PS Apologies for speling and grammatical errorrs but I have to weork quickly in these internet caffs.