Day 299 (Wed 2 May) - Fox Glacier
Still chucking it down this morning. We were all pretty reluctant to get out of our snug beds, especially Ruth and Keith.
Popped to the tourist information centre to get some information on the glacier. Jo and Ruth phoned Rachel again to say happy birthday (it was still her birthday in the UK) and then phoned Backpackers to find out what the orange light on the dashboard meant. Apparently it had something to do with the brakes, which sounded a bit dodgy so we arranged to take it into a garage in Fox glacier later in the day.
Drove up to Franz Josef car park and braving the rain headed off on the Sentinel Rock walk. Fortunately it was only a 20 mins walk to the lookout over the glacier. The glacier looked impressive and as we stood admiring it the clouds began to lift.
We were getting a bit wet so we left Franz Josef and drove the short distance to Fox Glacier. Fox Glacier township was a much smaller town and a lot less commercial than Franz Josef so we felt much more at home. Drove straight to the garage to get the van checked out. The mechanic was just going on his lunch so suggested we return after lunch. Agreed this was a good idea and popped into Cook Saddle Saloon for lunch.
Later Sarb took the van back to the mechanic and Ruth, Keith and Jo went to find out what trips we could do on (and over) the glacier. Ruth and Keith decided to try out a helicopter ride over the glacier whilst Jo booked her and Sarb on a half day hike on the glacier. We hoped that Keith and Ruth would be able to see us as they fly over the glacier.
Picked up the van - apparently the brakes are fine!! The orange light didn't come on again, who knows what was wrong with it.
Later we drove out of town to Lake Matheson. Beautiful walk around the lake. It was so peaceful and colourful. Jo and Ruth were leisurely walking around the lake admiring the snow capped mountains in the distance.
Before it got dark we found a view point so we could catch a glimpse of fox glacier before heading off to the Fox Glacier holiday park.
From the Campsite we had a great view of the surrounding mountains and glacier. Sarb and Keith enjoyed a beer whilst they watched the sunset.
Popped to the tourist information centre to get some information on the glacier. Jo and Ruth phoned Rachel again to say happy birthday (it was still her birthday in the UK) and then phoned Backpackers to find out what the orange light on the dashboard meant. Apparently it had something to do with the brakes, which sounded a bit dodgy so we arranged to take it into a garage in Fox glacier later in the day.
Drove up to Franz Josef car park and braving the rain headed off on the Sentinel Rock walk. Fortunately it was only a 20 mins walk to the lookout over the glacier. The glacier looked impressive and as we stood admiring it the clouds began to lift.
We were getting a bit wet so we left Franz Josef and drove the short distance to Fox Glacier. Fox Glacier township was a much smaller town and a lot less commercial than Franz Josef so we felt much more at home. Drove straight to the garage to get the van checked out. The mechanic was just going on his lunch so suggested we return after lunch. Agreed this was a good idea and popped into Cook Saddle Saloon for lunch.
Later Sarb took the van back to the mechanic and Ruth, Keith and Jo went to find out what trips we could do on (and over) the glacier. Ruth and Keith decided to try out a helicopter ride over the glacier whilst Jo booked her and Sarb on a half day hike on the glacier. We hoped that Keith and Ruth would be able to see us as they fly over the glacier.
Picked up the van - apparently the brakes are fine!! The orange light didn't come on again, who knows what was wrong with it.
Later we drove out of town to Lake Matheson. Beautiful walk around the lake. It was so peaceful and colourful. Jo and Ruth were leisurely walking around the lake admiring the snow capped mountains in the distance.
Before it got dark we found a view point so we could catch a glimpse of fox glacier before heading off to the Fox Glacier holiday park.
From the Campsite we had a great view of the surrounding mountains and glacier. Sarb and Keith enjoyed a beer whilst they watched the sunset.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
5/02/2007 01:07:00 am
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