NEW ZEALAND CAMPING 2013: DAY #4

Monday April 22, 2013

Matt and family headed off to Milford Sound this morning for a three hour cruise. Matt wasn't too sure about the road so he wasn't certain if they would get back here or camp down there - which would make for a long drive tomorrow. I lent him my 'Kiwi' phone and he sent me an SMS confirming that the drive was not too bad and they would be coming back for the night alongside us. It was an odd thing that although I could use my one Australian phone – which was a prepaid without much value on it – my main phone simply would not work. This despite the service provider being the second biggest in Australia and my being able to use the phone all over Europe.

We decided on a quiet day instead of heading down to Dunedin which was the original plan or even to Wanaka which was the alternative plan. So we just strolled into town and browsed the rather meagre selection of shops. One had more delightful NZ products aimed at tourists but very high quality and not festooned with I ♥ New Zealand designs. Since it was a brisk morning, Rab decided that a good pair of gloves would make an excellent souvenir, especially as they were on a Sale. Of course she could not buy them immediately, without completing the tour of the town to think about this weighty issue.

My only venture into the shops was to enquire about the availability of Ugly Shorts. These colourful items were made by Canterbury, the firm who made most of the rugby jerseys worn by players in New Zealand and Australia. The shorts were made from off-cuts of the jerseys and were extremely durable. I had bought two pairs on our first trip to NZ about 25 years ago and they only went out of the house when Rab declared them unfit for wear four or five years ago (I thought they had a couple more years wear, but was overruled). There were none and in fact I was told in the one shop that they were being discontinued. They recommended that I try the main shop in Queenstown – where I thought I had bought the originals, although Rab insists it was in Rotorua on North Island.

When Rab eventually arrived at the point of no return, she headed back to the shop and I started trying to catch up with this journal while sitting in the sun on a bench. I looked up at one stage and there was a miniature schnauzer walking up the sidewalk towards me with his master. I took a quick shot for Rab who I knew would be sorry she had missed him. He returned soon after she did and I was so pleased that she had met him She fussed over him as she has done with schnauzers all over the world. Her favourite animal without a doubt.

We picked up some wine and beers to replace those consumed last night and then just spent a delightful afternoon doing nothing at all except catching up with some reading and this journal.

Matt and family got back as night fell. They had a good day but it had not lived up to its promise. Matt was underwhelmed by the Sound itself. Impressive, yes; striking, yes, but not as Rudyard Kipling would have it "The Eighth Wonder Of The World". He had also paid extra for a tour which concentrated on showing the wildlife in the Sound, but apart from a brief glimpse of two dolphins and one fur seal, they saw nothing else that was alive. But the trip on the boat was exciting and a great experience for the girls who entered the details in their travel journals.

We all went out for dinner at a family restaurant within walking distance of the campsite. Matt and Dani, being vegetarians were most unimpressed by the menu in the window, which did not offer much choice, and they were all for looking out for an Italian restaurant for pizzas, but Rab persuaded them to try this one. They had a pleasant surprise, and a very large and tasty bowl of pumpkin soup with garlic bread, which met their needs. The girls were very impressed by the special children's menus as they could read them and choose their own meals. Rab and I settled for Mussels and Blue Cod respectively, so in the end everyone was happy, especially with the local Riesling. 

Family dinner

 

We strolled back to the camp and had another chocolate and chat session with the girls. Wracking our brains for more family anecdotes we were able to add to the fund of stories and get them roaring with laughter. I also had a chance to read their journals – with their permission of course. They made marvellous reading, but the entry that really expressed an event so succinctly was one by Stephi, all of six years old. It was written the day they crossed the mountain pass from Hanmer Springs on East Coast to Hokitika on the West Coast. As I recall the entry she said: “We were going over the mountains and singing The Hills Are Alive. We were all so happy.” Lovely to read.

As it was getting pretty late and the girls still needed to do their homework, we headed for our van and crawled into our snug beds. Neither of us slept very well, for no apparent reason – maybe it was the large meal after our Two Minute Noodles or the freezing conditions – we couldn’t get the heater working.