In the New Year we went to Queenstown and from there took a trip to Milford Sound. The weather was perfect, which as incredible considering the west coast of NZ is abut as dry as the west coast of Scotland, and the scenery was again spectacular but I think because I'd overdosed on so much dramatic landscape already on this trip I didn't find it nearly as impressive as I should have. Drama was added by a bus exploding on the road ahead of us on the road back. Thankfully no one was hurt but it kept us all awake till we got home.
After Queenstown we headed southwards to the coast and spent a couple of days in the Catlins. Once again the landscape reminded me of home, not mountains this time, but rolling hills and fields. More than once I forgot where I was and was disappointed to find I wasn't on my way to Anstruther for a fish supper. It's impossible not to be homesick here. To add to my confusion we spent a night in Dunedin (= Edinburgh). Everywhere is named after Scottish towns and streets. It doesn't look anything like Edinburgh, or any other Scottish town or city for that matter, which only made it all the mose confusing.
On the way to Christchurch we visited Mount Cook but sadly the good weather we'd had finally deserted us and there wasn't much to see. I still did the walk to the lookout in the rain and got the photo but we decided to drive on a bit further to set up for the night. I am most definitely a fair weather camper. Three weeks in a tent was enough and it was bliss to arrive at Christchurch where M&A were ready yet again to take care of us. When even the smallest home comforts are much appreciated they've opened their home and shown amazing hospitality. "Sweet as!", as the kiwis would say. I'm all set to enjoy a relaxing last week in NZ before heading back to Aus. I'm trying t decide where to go next since my plans only took me this far. A trip back to Melbourne for a wee bit of tennis seems like a lovely idea.....
