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Hello
So we left Qweenstown amid beautiful sunshine our plan to drive to Milford Sound and then onto Southland proper. The weather was still shining four hours later on our arrival. After securing the tent we walked down to the bay and were greated by stunning views of the glacial fiord. This was unfortunaetly not to last as the forecast suggested 3 iniches of rain over the next 12 hours. We awoke around 3am with the familiar pattering of rain on the canvas. This soon turned into a torrent and by morning we were surrounded by a lake of immense propertions - (it was worth buying a proper tent in the UK - and not one of these shabby NZ things!!) A short 50 metre run to the lodge for breakfast ensured that we were soaked through - or at least James was as he was the one to fetch Annes waterproofs from the car.

New Zeland continued

James and Anne Walkington
2006-08-08 19:39:37

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Hello
So we left Qweenstown amid beautiful sunshine our plan to drive to Milford Sound and then onto Southland proper. The weather was still shining four hours later on our arrival. After securing the tent we walked down to the bay and were greated by stunning views of the glacial fiord. This was unfortunaetly not to last as the forecast suggested 3 iniches of rain over the next 12 hours. We awoke around 3am with the familiar pattering of rain on the canvas. This soon turned into a torrent and by morning we were surrounded by a lake of immense propertions - (it was worth buying a proper tent in the UK - and not one of these shabby NZ things!!) A short 50 metre run to the lodge for breakfast ensured that we were soaked through - or at least James was as he was the one to fetch Annes waterproofs from the car.

Our plan was to go on an exciting trip to the Tasmen Sea by little 70 person boat. Teh rain was lashing down - I have never seen so much water come down in one place than at Milfrod Sound. There were waterfalls everywhere - by the time we got out to the Tasmen the boat was been tossed around like a toy boat. Was by far the roughest conditions that we had ever encountered.

After our safe return we planned to do a four day trek called the Greenstone - Caples. If anyone ever suggests doing this - DON'T. Is the worst long walk that I have ever done.

Started in the rain up a reasonable gravel track through the bush. Continued through the bush for 2 days until we went over Mckellar Saddle - had good views of recently dumped snows on the mountains. However a gruelling decent of 3000 foot through slippery roots, lethal mud slopes and dangerous cliffs. All to be made fantastic by a swamp with no path or bridge at the end of the decent - required walking straight through the middle with mud upto the middle of your thighs. Thankfully we had decided to do it faster than the 4 day suggestion and we completed it ...