Holiday update 3

Wednesday 22^nd

We drove up to the base of Mt Cook and after advice from the friendly DOC ranger we ventured up the track to the Meuller Glacier. The wind got more and more fierce and by the time we got to the second swing bridge there were 100k gusts coming through which made it a bit hairy. We stopped to eat and realised the rain was about to come down the valley so we turned around before we reached the glacier lake and raced the rain back to the car. This doesn't sound like a recipe for a fun afternoon but the wild scenery and the wind were awesome fun.

 

We raced to Twizel so Phil could go Salmon fishing and the kids and I hung out at the playground. Sure enough Phil came back with an enormous fish and we had fun carving it up and making dinner in the kitchen at Glentanner that night. (Salmon with tiny potatoes, carrots and brocoli)

Wow, that night! The wind gusted down the lake and we both thought the tent would blow over or fold up with us in it but somehow it held. In the morning there was a dusting of snow down to 1200m, not far from our tent :-)

Thursday 23^rd

We packed up our poor bruised tent and made our way to Ashburton via white bait fritters and honey nut cake in Geraldine. Phil got a haircut and a tip about a good spot to camp which lead us to the DOC camp at Peel Forrest. (Salmon sashimi and sushi)

Friday 24th

We took a day trip to Timaru stopping off at the fab op shops and 2^nd hand stores in Temuka on the way. There was time to smell the roses, admire the parrots and play on the playground before we wandered through the CBD looking at the shops and the gorgeous old buildings. Suddenly it was time to head back to camp and cook some more of the giant salmon. (Salmon with creamy pasta and hand salad)

Saturday 25^th

Off to Cheviott via Christchurch. We took the scenic route to Christchurch through lots of lovely wee towns and tried to catch up with Rebecca and Hannah in Mayfield but they weren't there yet. The junk store in Mayfield was something else, packed to the rafters with all kinds of treasures.

We took no pictures of Christchurch. After all you see and hear in the media somehow the scale of the destruction is still surprising, and overwhelmingly sad.

We've holed up in a charming motel in Cheviott with lots of pets for the girls to play with, a swimming pool and a real bed for a change. Our evening walk was delightful with the gorgeous gardens, amazing cloud formations including rainbow clouds and a couple of white bunnies to liven things up. (Poached Salmon with egg and potato salad)

Sunday 26^th

We spent Sunday poking around the mouth of the Hurunui River. Phil flicked his lure around without much success. Luckily none of the other fishermen were catching anything either. Ali found a pet rock. In the evening the girls and I stayed in and watched the Narnia movie (ooooh a bit nightmarey) while Phil went out and actually managed to hook the biggest trout ever but it spat the lure before it broke his rod luckily.

Monday 27^th

On the advice of fellow camper Tom M we have driven up the Puhi puhi valley to find a lovely wee camping spot – well loved by readers of lonely planet. We had a wee tiki through Kaikoura and saw the seal colony at the lookout. Phil took a walk up the river and found some interesting rock formations that look like the fell out of a cave.

Tuesday 28^th

We explored up the Clarence River and then went to the beach.