Friday

Really good nigh last night in a really comfy bed and I could have stayed there much longer but things to see and places to go.

After breakfast I made the sandwiches for lunch, leftover chicken today! And packed the car and down into the town to post Kirsty's birthday card, I hope I haven't left it too late.

We then went to the tourist office for yet another magnet, I have lost count of how many we have bought this trip. The lady told us the best spot to get a photo of the clock on the mountain which is a little like the Hollywood sign but a clock - no idea why but it looks good.

We then set off and stopped quite soon at a little place called Clyde to see the dam and the historic town which looks like a scene from a Wild West movie but very cute.

Another 30km or so and we arrived at Cromwell after a lovely drive beside a river with the mountains coming down to the edge.

Cromwell is picture perfect and has a lovely historic centre with beautifully restored houses which have been recently relocated higher up as they were flooded. One is a cafe and it is a stone building inside with a lovely wood burning stove to keep you warm, yes it is much colder here. We had a lovely coffee and muffin and watched the pies and cakes being baked in a small domestic oven and the smell was delicious.

After coffee we walked around the town and took some photos near the river, well two rivers as they join at Cromwell. I am not sure if I have mentioned the trees? They are fabulous! The autumn colours are beautiful, we don't get this in the north.

The old town was easier to find than the new town and just as we had given up and were about to leave we came across it and the huge display of plastic fruit. A bit like the big trout yesterday - did I mention that in my blog ? Can't check now as we have no Internet tonight. (How come tiny motels can give you free wi-fi but these big places charge an arm and a leg?) And the big carrot in Okahune. Here they have big fruit as they grow so much of it in this area.

We found the tourist office and bought a magnet and picked up some leaflets, I think I now have a small tree's worth in the car. The centre was very pretty, modern and very clean.

This area, Central Otago, is famous for Pinot Noir and the vines are all heavy with fruit and just about ready to be picked. We stopped at a winery and bought some, well you just have to! I also bought some blackberries they were selling in jars with a wine syrup. The lady said they are good on ice cream. She gave us a taste and they are delicious.

The owner was telling us about a 'randy ram' they have who wasn't 'done' properly and is now causing trouble. They have some 'girl sheep' who are pets and all have names given by her young son. Her husband and another guy were out in he field trying to catch the ram who was called Earth! Apparently, he has taken to butting people and sent her husband into the air the other day so it has been decided to send Earth off to the Lamb Chop Heaven and we were there to see him go - awwww! It was all very entertaining. They now need to get another ram and 'have him done properly' to keep her son and the 'girl sheep' happy. They say travel broadens the  mind!

It was then on to Wanaka and the lake. I was a little disappointed here as it is very commercialised and very busy compared to other places but still very pretty but no snow yet.

We ate lunch sitting in the sun by the lake and it was lovely.

Back on the road we headed to Mt Cook and a lot of the drive was boring but going through Lindis Pass was lovely.

There weren't any other stopping places before Mt Cook but we did drive alongside Lake Pukaki which is the most amazing shade of blue.

As we got closer to the mountain it was obvious we were not going to see it today due to low cloud.

We booked into the hotel at the National Park and in the hope that it will be clearer tomorrow we paid the extra for a mountain view! It is a lovely hotel and very plush with lots of central heating and log fires.

After a cup of tea we went down o the Sir Edmund Hilary Museum to see a film on Mt Cook in 3D but it was not very good.

We watched another film in the museum about the first person who climbed the mountain and that was free and much more interesting.

We got ready for inner and decided to go for the buffet and. It was really good with lots of choice and all well cooked, the roast beef and venison pie was delicious. The desserts were amazing and I ate far too many. I think I will need to go onto bread and water when we get back or I might have to buy another wedding outfit!

Fingers crossed that when we wake up in the morning we can see the mountain!!!

I thought it was time for my long sleeved nightie tonight so I am feeling very cosy. Jon pointed out that after tomorrow as we are heading north it should get warmer but looking at the forecast it looks like it is going to get wetter.

WEATHER

Cold  in Alexandra but sunny 17 degrees cloudy later with a few spots of rain.