Today we travel further south and the sun is out once again. En route we stopped to take a trip on the Kingston Flyer, a vintage steam train. It was an eventful journey as the driver and other train staff had to stop the train to free a sheep trapped in a length of electric fence wire.
Another 200k or so later we pulled into a layby for a spot of lunch. Remembering this is in the middle of nowhere and we could have stopped anywhere .... A few minutes later we were tucking into a sandwich when another car pulled in. Would you believe it, it was Judith and Harrison Dawson, the wife of the guy who was my best man and his son. Its a small world indeed!
We travelled on and soon arrived at our motel in Te Anau. Another brilliant location, our travel organiser has certainly done us proud. We have a view right over the lake and the new studio apartment is top notch and what's more it has free internet. Te Anau is like most places - very small, beautifully tidy and clean and surrounded by the most amazing mountains.
We were up early the next day as we had a full days exploring down a wild river right out to the sea on a jet boat. After an hour or so drive plus 32k down a gravel track we arrived at our remote location. We were soon joined by seven others plus Jochan the guide and driver. You technical guys will be impressed to hear the small flat bottomed boat had TWO 8 cylinder Toyota engines producing over 500 bhp. We took off like a bat out of hell and after two hours plus we arrived at the mouth of the river and the very southern tip of the south island. After a good Barbi cooked by our guide and more explanation about the wild life and plant life we headed back - what a great day. It's a pity we don't have fast-flowing rivers in the Indre - these jet boats would make great toys for the boys!
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