Out of the Fridge and into the Freezer

With our fate tied up with the weather and with no means of retreat we set out to find what roads where actually still in operation. We knew we couldn't get back east, there was nothing but pacific ocean to the west. So that left north: towards Nelson and Fiordland or south: towards Haast's glaciers and Queenstown.

Unfortunately we could go in neither direction, the gods have not looked kindly on our journey (clearly we weren't sacrificing enough goats) and had us pinned down on a small stretch of the west coast (which have very shiny black beaches!!) with all the passes shut by snow. For a change of scenery if nothing else, we headed south to Greymouth over a rather bendy coastal road and with no goats handy to help with the weather situation we headed over to see the local Fur seal population (just to look at them!).

The day was spent working out how long it would take to walk back to the UK, drinking beer and eating fish and chips! Oh and as we were beginning to get a little smelly, the laundry became a priority :/

The following day Mike went and spoke to the bloke in charge and find out about the state of the roads. Clearly our meager fish sacrifice the night before (not to mention the bacon for breakfast) had done the job, the Arthurs Pass had opened (barely). My job to drive again (even more snow this time - about 2 meters high!) although we switched after lunch at the far end of the pass and I had climbed up a snow covered mountain. Mike then had the long slog over to Kaikoura (north of Christchurch) so we could try and get at some whales (again, just to look at - have you tried to sacrifice a whale!!! - no comments please Elfar).

So we are free of the mountains and snow, back on the open road and with no sign of Gollum stalking us, I think.....