Day 307 (Thu 10 May) - Mount Cook

We thought we might stay an extra night in Queenstown but the weather reports were not looking good for golf or any other outdoor activity so decided to push on.

Drove onto Mount Cook passing the almost too beautiful Lake Dunstan. The colours were amazing. Mooched round for a bit then pressed on.

Approaching Mount Cook we were gobsmacked at the colour of the surrounding lakes. They were of an almost pale blue (Keith found out that it is because of the minerals contained in the rocks).

Got to the small Mount Cook village where we walked for an hour towards the mountains. We had to maintain a quick pace as the clouds were beginning to come in putting at risk our view of the mountains.

The views of the mountains and glaciers were spectacular.

By now the clouds were obscuring our view so decided to drive out to a nearby campsite a few miles from Mount Cook, passing the Tasman glacier en route. At one point in our journey we had to stop as a farmer was herding his massive flock of sheep across the road. In true farmer style he had a sick or injured sheep across his shoulders!

Watched a great sunset on the mountains at the campsite.

The campsite is very basic and dark. The good bit was that the night sky was absolutely incredible. Bad bit was walking round in the pitch dark with only your torch throwing out a pitiful beam of light. Luckily we were not in Canada hence the risk of being mauled by a bear was nil although a gang of possums may have caused us some bother.



Had a fab spanish omelette for tea.