The all new BM and LL's catastrophic adventures down under thread

[Barman]

NZ Day 27

TranzAlpine Christchurch to Greymouth.

Early start from Christchurch, taxi to the station then boarded the TranzAlpine to Greymouth.

Train as lovely, staff were wonderful and the views sensational…

Weather was not fantastic but leaning out (strictly verboten) of the observation car to take pictures of the scenery (and driver) was great fun…

Unfortunately, I managed to delete a whole load of pictures (mostly of the diesel engines pulling the train) from my phone which is poorly…

Picked up hire car (another Kia Sportage) at the station and headed off to the motel in the ‘High Street’ which was miles from anywhere…

Had a quick explore of the local area (some strange shops) then stumbled into the most amazing hotel/bistro/grog shop/restaurant right across the road from the Motel!

So some booze and sensational food laters we re back to the motel. .

Those cars are going to need some T-Cutting

Asked a local what we should see in Greymouth before heading off to Franz Josef and he said, just leave, LEAVE NOW! 

The Sheriff run you out of town?

 

Next time use a false name... 

Ginger Nick...? 

[Steve]

NZ Day 27

TranzAlpine Christchurch to Greymouth.

Early start from Christchurch, taxi to the station then boarded the TranzAlpine to Greymouth.

Train as lovely, staff were wonderful and the views sensational…

Weather was not fantastic but leaning out (strictly verboten) of the observation car to take pictures of the scenery (and driver) was great fun…

Unfortunately, I managed to delete a whole load of pictures (mostly of the diesel engines pulling the train) from my phone which is poorly…

Picked up hire car (another Kia Sportage) at the station and headed off to the motel in the ‘High Street’ which was miles from anywhere…

Had a quick explore of the local area (some strange shops) then stumbled into the most amazing hotel/bistro/grog shop/restaurant right across the road from the Motel!

So some booze and sensational food laters we re back to the motel. .

Those cars are going to need some T-Cutting

Asked a local what we should see in Greymouth before heading off to Franz Josef and he said, just leave, LEAVE NOW! 

The Sheriff run you out of town?

 

[Just One More]

Great Pictures 

I'm enjoying this photographic tour down under. Thanks for sharing.

Wot Uncle said   

[Nick]

"lunch" with Nod has ensured that there is now no blood in my alcohol stream 

[Barman]

NZ Day 28

Greymouth to Franz Josef

Left a rainy Greymouth at 10:30 and had a beautiful drive South stopping at Hokitika for breakfast.

The weather improved as we headed South (contrary to expectations) and we had some wonderful mountain views.

Motel is lovely, just outside the ‘town’ and we have sheep and Alpaca as neighbours (Alpacas are Rocket, Mustang and Batman, the sheep are Milly, Molly and Mumma)…

A quick trip into ‘town’ for provisions (booze) and chose an eating venue for this evening… Several of the restaurants offer a collection/delivery service (customers, not food!) so we don’t have to drive…

So we chose the Alice May restaurant… what an amazing history and incredible food too! Google her, you won’t regret it...

Franz Josef Glacier tomorrow...

[Steve]

 

Alpacas too

[Barman]

Alpacas too

And Lezzers... 

When we left Wellington there were two lezzers on the table next to us in the cafe while we waited for the ferry to Picton...

...so we saw them on the ferry...

And then a week later we booked in to the TranzAlpine railway and they were there too... 

And then this arvo after driving down to Franz Josef we unpacked and headed into town and THERE THEY WERE! 

And then this evening we went to one of the (eight I think) restaurants in the town and THERE THEY WERE!!!! 

What are the odds like...? 

[Nick]

Probably stalking LL..........

[Grumpmeister]

Probably stalking LL..........

On a quest to rescue her from the dirty old man you say... 

[Barman]

Probably stalking LL..........

 

[Barman]

NZ Day 29

Franz Josef Glacier

Woke up to beautiful sunshine and after a quick breakfast headed off to the glacier.

Everything was remarkably well organised and we got kitted up, (boots, socks, jackets, trousers gloves and crampons!) and headed off to the helicopter.

A short flight later and we had landed on the glacier – the pictures simply can’t convey the scale of the thing (or the beauty for that matter). I thought we were going to have a quick hike to the top then noticed the teeny tiny people on the glacier and realised the huge size!

The ice at the landing zone hadn’t had the sun on it and you literally couldn’t stand up without fitting the crampons.

There hadn’t been any tours for a few days so it was as new to the guide as it was to us – the glacier moves at over 1m per day and 5m in some places! We trekked up the slope past the huge ice things (I can’t remember the proper name) with our group leader cutting steps with his ice axe!

It was fabulous…

When we came back down the weather was closing in and it was touch-and go if we would be trapped on the ice for a night – they have tents stored there just in case – or be able to be flown out. Luckily the helicopter got in to remove us but all afternoon flights were cancelled. We lave tomorrow, how lucky we have been with the weather!

[Steve]

NZ Day 29

Franz Josef Glacier

Woke up to beautiful sunshine and after a quick breakfast headed off to the glacier.

Everything was remarkably well organised and we got kitted up, (boots, socks, jackets, trousers gloves and crampons!) and headed off to the helicopter.

A short flight later and we had landed on the glacier – the pictures simply can’t convey the scale of the thing (or the beauty for that matter). I thought we were going to have a quick hike to the top then noticed the teeny tiny people on the glacier and realised the huge size!

The ice at the landing zone hadn’t had the sun on it and you literally couldn’t stand up without fitting the crampons.

There hadn’t been any tours for a few days so it was as new to the guide as it was to us – the glacier moves at over 1m per day and 5m in some places! We trekked up the slope past the huge ice things (I can’t remember the proper name) with our group leader cutting steps with his ice axe!

It was fabulous…

When we came back down the weather was closing in and it was touch-and go if we would be trapped on the ice for a night – they have tents stored there just in case – or be able to be flown out. Luckily the helicopter got in to remove us but all afternoon flights were cancelled. We lave tomorrow, how lucky we have been with the weather!

that's superb

Bet it was knackering too

[Miss Demeanour]

Wow !!!!

How amazing!!!

[Nick]

Not sure about the helichopper 

Doubtless, you are planning a holiday 

[Barman]

NZ Day 29

Franz Josef Glacier

Woke up to beautiful sunshine and after a quick breakfast headed off to the glacier.

Everything was remarkably well organised and we got kitted up, (boots, socks, jackets, trousers gloves and crampons!) and headed off to the helicopter.

A short flight later and we had landed on the glacier – the pictures simply can’t convey the scale of the thing (or the beauty for that matter). I thought we were going to have a quick hike to the top then noticed the teeny tiny people on the glacier and realised the huge size!

The ice at the landing zone hadn’t had the sun on it and you literally couldn’t stand up without fitting the crampons.

There hadn’t been any tours for a few days so it was as new to the guide as it was to us – the glacier moves at over 1m per day and 5m in some places! We trekked up the slope past the huge ice things (I can’t remember the proper name) with our group leader cutting steps with his ice axe!

It was fabulous…

When we came back down the weather was closing in and it was touch-and go if we would be trapped on the ice for a night – they have tents stored there just in case – or be able to be flown out. Luckily the helicopter got in to remove us but all afternoon flights were cancelled. We lave tomorrow, how lucky we have been with the weather!

that's superb

Bet it was knackering too

I had to have a snooze afters...