FRANZ JOSEF TO GREYMOUTH

Another hot sunny day, here on the west coast, we left Franz Josef and continued north stopping in Hokitika, the town is the stronghold of indigenous pounamu (greenstone)Mountain jade and so the wide open streets are full of shops. Of course I had to get a piece! A Spiral - Koru symbol necklace based on the New Zealand Fern frond, depicting new beginnings, growth and harmony. Roys says lets hope the last bit works on me!
Had a lazy lunch near the Tasman sea in Hokitika and ate chips with our sandwich!
Our plan was to head inland and across country now on the Arthurs Pass road but the sun was shining and it looked cloudy inland so we camped early near Greymouth and got all mod cons for the night. Just one problem phone seems to be very poorly wont switch on or charge - I hate technology!

A DEAD POSSUM

A POSTER OF A POSSUM!

SHIPWRECK OF THE "OAK"

ROY DOING HIS IMPERSONATION OF TITANIC!

AFTER THE CYCLONE – HAAST TO FRANZ JOSEF

The evening of the cyclone, we braved the howling wind and lashing rain to go to the only pub in Haast, The Hard Antler and enjoyed a delicious meal of lamb shank with a pint of apple cider which had been preceded by two glasses of wine, I slept well through the cyclone. It wasn't that bad where we were but next morning we went into visitor centre to find out about the road north – it was closed! Next update at 12midday. There was debris on the road but luckily just as we were leaving the guy came on the radio and said its open!

As we drove northwards we saw the damage done, trees uprooted, debris at side of road, a barn collapsed and on the beaches, huge piles of driftwood.

Weather brightened and sun came out a bit as we stopped at Gillespies beach for lunch, a 20km drive up a rough road. Back then to see the famous Lake Matheson which, if the weather is right has a reflection of Mount Cook in it – not today sadly but the mountains were clearing and we saw Fox Glacier.

Got a lovely campsite at Lake Mapourila on a Conservation site and saw a stunning sunset and sunrise next day.

READY FOR THE CYCLONE

FOR ALL YOU WORKERS!

BRUCE BAY

ABOVE A CEMETERY

NOT WILD! DINNER ANYONE?

FOX GLACIER

FOX GLACIER

SLEEPY SHAG

LAKE MATHESON

SADLY NO REFLECTION OF MOUNT COOK

AND THE SIGN TELLS YOU WHERE MOUNT COOK AND TASMAN SHOULD BE!

Drove to Franz Josef car park and did the hour and half walk up up the glacier floor to the glacier face. A stunningly clear day, so lucky again. We came back then did a “short” walk to Peters Pool but got wrong and found ourselves on a rough track doing a five hour hike, we turned round and came back!

Drove to Okatiro lagoon and wandered round the area and to the beach and had a wonderful icecream made individually from from frozen blueberries!

Back for the night to our campsite near the lake.

SUNSET AT LAKE MAPOURILA CAMPSITE

SUNRISE AT SAME LAKE

HEADING TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

THREE WATERFALLS IN A ROW

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

ZOOMED INTO TOP

AS FAR AS THEY LET YOU WALK

PETERS POOL

THE WRONG TRAIL BUT WE GOT TO DO ANOTHER SUSPENSION BRIDGE!

ST JAMES CHURCH IN FRANZ JOSEF

BEAUTIFUL BLUEBERRY ICECREAM AT OKARITO LAGOON

OKARITO LAGOON AND NO KIWIS OUT OF BED YET!

PADDLING IN THE TASMAN SEA

OKARITO LAGOON

CAMPSITE NEAR LAKE MAPOURILA

SAUSAGE ANYONE!

WANAKA TO JACKSON BAY

Drove about 100 miles today, stopping at each lake, waterfall or viewpoint.

We had planned to head north from Haast to Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers along the west coast but they have just issued a warning, cyclone Gita is due to hit on Tuesday so we have come over to the coast to Haast then drove the extra 25 miles south to Jackson Bay, the only natural harbour on the west coast and totally deserted, we camped for free on the edge of the bay – beautiful!

We will go back to Haast tomorrow to visitor centre to see what the weather says then decide whether we have to retrace our steps or go forwards up the west coast.

JACKSON BAY OUR PEACEFUL FREE CAMPSITE

Next day before we left Jackson Bay we did a short walk over the headland to Ocean Bay through, yes you've guessed it, rainforest! Pretty deserted beach.

OCEAN BAY

We drove back to Haast and spoke with the lady in the visitor centre who advised we find somewhere to stay here today and see what tomorrow brings, Cyclone Gita was on her way, but good for us, she was supposedly veering more for the east coast of South Island with all airports closed , sounded serious, advice is do not travel unless you have to. We have our fingers crossed that we can still head north along the west coast tomorrow.

Got a campsite in Haast easily. Its just raining and a bit windy at moment, oops sounds to be getting windier!