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So we finally feel like we are starting our new Zealand holiday for real. We couldn't get to dentist in Christchurch but we did manage to talk to very help guy at the practice and he reassured us we should be ok for a week or so. He gave us the name of dentist in Nelson so we have appointment with him on Thurs.
So we left Hanmer Springs reluctantly and headed south. Drove back through Canterbury Plains and out to Methven. This was only ever stop over but was pretty grotty campsite!! Quite big skiing area so not an awful lot going for it without snow!
We had rude awakening at 530 am with this very very loud siren going off which, when you are in an earthquake zone , frightens life out of you!!! Turns out it's the call for the local volunteer fire brigade !!!
So we were on the road pretty early and drove to lake tekapo. We went through lots of different scenery. Firstly seemed like I was back home in Lincs - flat flat flat farmland for miles. With complicated irrigation system
And huge huge irrigation rigs everywhere.
Then we started going up a bit and we were in rolling green hills of the high pastureland. Then up again to the barren mountains. All very scorched and dry but rugged and beautiful. Not
much around except sheep and cattle!. Must be a very hard way of life - some of the stations are literally miles and miles from anywhere - so isolated.
So travelled through these vast plains for a while with stunning mountain backdrops until we came round bend and over hill to catch first glimpse of Lake Tekapo. Wow!- the colour was extraordinary. A bright turquoise blue green but a kind of milky opaque colour. This is apparently the result of the sun on the 'rock flour' which is finely ground rock produced by the glacier that feeds the lake.
Our campsite was right on the lake at the foot of mount John.
The beach was pebbly so boys had fun time throwing pine cones and stones into water. Jase was trying to teach them the ancient art of stone skimming!! We spent afternoon messing around on beach and then cooked in camp kitchen and eat outside in the warm evening sun.
Tekapo is supposed to have the cleanest air in the southern hemisphere due to it's isolation and elevation of 720m. It is also one of the best places to stargaze as so little light pollution and as such has internationally renowned research observatories on top of mount John.
Saturday we decided to tackle mount John and headed up into the larch forest. Boys made it all the way to top - very proud of them climbing a mountain (1046m) but is slightly easier when you start at 720m!!
The views from the top were breathtaking- absolutely stunning. We were lucky as was a pretty clear day so could see for hundreds of miles. Tekapo is the start of a series of 8 hydroelectric power stations so we could see all the hydro canals snaking away into the distance. Also had views of couple of other lakes and distant mountains.
We made it down safely only for Arun to slip just by the van and hit his face on rock and put his tooth through his lip :-(. We are now staying in bed under the duvet on every Saturday in New Zealand!!
We patched him up ok and he is fine.
Sunday we packed up and head south again. More beautiful scenery - this time we were lucky enough to see the whole of Mount cook ( new zealands highest mountain) over lake pukaki, in all her snow capped glory. Beautiful.
Found great campsite in Lake Wanaka again with fab views and luxury facilities!! And free wifi!!
Walked down into sweet little town and had wander around and a beer and then tea cooked in camp BBQ with luxury of outdoor heaters!!
Monday dawned the boys birthday so we had excitement of opening pressies and cards.
We went out to Puzzling World which is quite a cool place. Has illusion rooms which are pretty freaky and very clever. And then we did the big maze followed by attempting some of the puzzles that are laying around. Good fun. Into town for birthday lunch then an hour or so in park.
Back to campsite for spa and sauna!!! Followed by birthday tea and two huge birthday cakes complete with candles!! Quite a packed day but in a relaxed way think the boys had fun. Can't believe my babies are 4 - scary!!
Today we heading to franz josef glacier. Because of dental appointment we have got to do a flying tour of west coast which is big shame but would rather get sammy sorted. We are sadly missing out on Milford sound which was one of main things we wanted to see in NZ but can't be helped as would add another 4 or 5 days onto journey. just means we will have to come back to new Zealand !!!
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Home in flat Lincolnshire It very much sounds if the boys would like to spend their 5th birthday in NZ