So with a very good weather report we decide to tempt the West Coast first in a anti clockwise direction. This is the place that gets over 50% rainy days so we are excited at such a good forecast. After a quick pit stop for suzzie (the camper) at her home base in Nelson we set off down the coast. The weather was fantastic and we stopped off at lots of different places checking out the seals, blow holes etc etc. We also tried the art of free camping to great success, laying up in a car park or such for free nights stay. We stayed in some wonderful places all along the west coast and mainly away from any crowds. One of the highlights was a guided trip on Fox glacier. We had already self walked ourselves up to the Fanz Joseph glacier but we took the plunge and paid for a guide. At first it was looking a little tame and pretty much the same as our free walk the previous day but soon we were hiking on past the terminal face and soon on to the ice itself. The kids were very exicited and pestered the guide almost to death but he was brilllant with them and we all really enjoyed the trip and of course the t-shirt and fridge magnet buying at the end! We tried to hang around a little to get a really good view of Mount Cook but the clouds were against us and we just about saw the top through the mist.

The weather has changed a lot coming down the west side with a much more autumn feel to the place and a few nights being really cold but we are coping well tucked up inside the van.

Another drive inland saw us in Wanaka (Wonaka) for a few days walking and even swimming in the lake all be for a few minutes! We really liked the area and with clear days to enjoy the views it was a wonderful place. But time marches on and it was soon time to head on further to Queenstown. We stopped by the home of Bungy jumping but due to a rather stiff back Al refused to jump! It was really me with the stiff back and its a good enough excuse. So we kicked off our shoes and relaxed a little around the area. Its a beautiful place but the town itself is a bit mad especially comapered to the wilds of the west coast. We managed to stay about 20km from the town in a an old gold mine called Arrowtown which was wonderful with all the tress turning yellow along the valley. We resisited most of the adrenelin activities but did book a family trip for an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound as a special wedding anniversery present. More of that latter.