january 6

Our first day in the South Island!
As usual now, it was up at 0640, had a cup of tea, a shower, dressed and had m weetbix.
After packing, I moved the car to the front of the hotel (a lot of people were leaving early, so space was available before 7:30). It was the very quick to pack the car, check the unit to make sure nothing was left behind and after refuelling at Shell in Picton (just around the corner), we headed south to Blenheim. We drove around the town, but the sights weren’t so dramatic to delay us, so we were soon off across in a southwest direction to Greymouth. Here we stopped to get rolls and other supplies for lunch. Lunch was made in the car and we ate it while droving south. Unfortunately the fine weather of the last few days disappeared as it started to rain heavily. We arrived at Franz Josef and were into our unit by 1500. Despite the rain, we drove out to the Franz Josef glacier and walked to see the main face, through pouring rain. It was not as I remember it, but still spectacular despite the poor viewing conditions (why couldn’t that rain fall in Victoria?). After a short time we were back into town and I refuelled (very expensive) at the only fuel outlet in town.
Straight after, we shopped at supermarket for soup and other essentials (only, as prices were REALLY high).
As it was still raining, we went back to the unit for an early tea, hung out our outer clothing to dry, read the local papers and tourist material, watched TV and then went to bed early.