West Coast Trip

After it having snowed here the day before we were due to leave, we wondered whether we would be able to get to the Coast. The alpine passes had had a battering and most of the roads were closed due to snow and ice. We checked the roads via the internet on Sunday morning and the Porter's Pass was open but chains were essential. We had purchased chains the day before so we packed up and got on our way. It was lucky we left so early. We had to put chains on only after driving for about an hour, right at the bottom of the pass. It was only going to get icier the further we went. After putting on the chains at the checkpoint it was very slow going. There were loads of other motorists though and the weather was fine and the boys were very good despite being stuck in their carseats for lengthy periods of time. It was worse for Rhys because he can't run about and stretch his legs like the more mobile of us. The instructions on the chains had said not to go more than 20km/h which we did, but we saw plenty of others with the exact same cheap ones doing much more than that. We both looked at a sign saying 60 km to Arthur's Pass and groaned at how long that would take at 15kmph. Anyway, we made it to Arthur's Pass with not too much grisling from the backseat and had a nice lunch and a break and Rhys managed to get a crawl/walk around the cafe.

It was a less dramatic drive to Hokitika but stunning all the same. I had never been to the W Coast so ohhed and ahhed a lot at the scenery - which was mainly just beautiful bush and mountains, most of the flat looking like it was almost swamp and very green with the river running through the middle of it all.
We had got on the open road at about 10.30am and didn't make it to the motel until about 3.30ish. A very long 230km.

We didn't do anything of interest in Hoki. A quick walk along the beach and through the sleepy town and then we decided to head to Franz Josef which was where we spent the next two nights.

We had a quick picnic at the glacier carpark (no picnic tables or rubbishbins so will remember that for next time).Rhys got well acquainted with the gravel and rocks before we set off with the boys in backpacks on what came to be a two hour meander through the bush and along the river to the foot of the glacier. We did what most others were doing and stepped over the ropes to get closer - the river was certainly not a raging torrent and as soon as we felt we could be slightly in danger of falling rocks we stopped. There were a few guided groups climbing up the ice and I had a jealous moment or 3 wishing we had a babysitter so we could do the same. I'm sure the time will come soon enough that the boys are old enough to do some of that anyway.

The next day we set off to Fox Glacier, only about 25 kms away but again it was a slow trip over icy roads, beautiful too though with bush on either side of the road and lakes and rivers round every other bend. We put Rhys in the buggy this time and Joseph in the backpack and set off on the 90 minute loop of the lake. The first 30 minutes were wonderful. It was freezing cold but the sun was shining and the birds were singing...Then Rhys decided he had had enough of the buggy, and the walk altogether. Needless to say we saw and heard no more wildlfe and may have even scared off some of the tourists. A young(ish) couple wandered past us arm in arm while Rhys was wailing and Nick tells them ' don't end up like us'. A rather humourous moment. It was a good workout anyway and all that was needed was a spot of lunch and some sleep by the young one.

This great pic is Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman mirrored in Lake Matheson, it was just stunning and although it was absolutely freezing, there was no wind and as you can see the sun was shining.

It has to be said though, that the wee man does not cope well with being away from home. He didn't sleep at all well and Nick and I must have looked like zombies the entire trip. Joseph was an absolute angel in all respects and really enjoyed being on 'oliday. I think the main thing with Rhys is that you can't just let them cry themselves to sleep when staying in motels so we had to rock him or have him up and playing to keep him happy. One of the nights he was awake and happy from 3am til 5. What a shocker. Anyway, he is happy to be home and in his own bed. I am very thankful he is on a bottle now, or feeding him on those restless nights may have been the end of me!

Just had to add this photo. Rhys is a darling, really!