Day 4. Monday 10th November 2003
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Mount Cook

Had a nice breakfast in the van and set off, a lovely sunny day. On leaving Christchurch land was mainly farming, sheep with lambs, deer, and ostrich. Started to get a glimpse of snow-covered mountains—where we'll be flying over later.

As I write this I am sitting on the banks of Lake Tekapo. I'm stunned by the vibrant blue of the water, green trees, and white snow-capped mountains. Decided we have a picnic lunch here whilst admiring the view. Sun is warm, there's a light breeze, birds are singing—it's idealic! Very clean air, seem to be smelling lots of things—nature!

After lunch we drove to the airport for our air safari with a company called Air Safari. Because of operating problems they asked us to wait 1 hour and go on another booking, which turned out to be for the best (we avoided a big, loud group of Scandinavians on tour and ended up with a couple that had just married that morning), and went up in a six seater plane. The flight was absolutely amazing, a bit shaky as there were quite a lot of wind currants, but thrilling, and the views were out of this world. I took at least 26 pictures of the lake, the glaciers, and of course Mt Cook and Mt Abel Tasmin.

After the flight we visited the lakeside where there is a tiny church—where the couple had been married—called the "Church of the Good Shepherd" and the monument of the Collie Dog—built in recognition of the dogs that have helped make this part of NZ what it is. Both feeling tired again and thought we'd get on the road to Mt Cook and set up camp somewhere along the way.

It turns out that you can camp more or less anywhere in NZ—providing there are no signs saying not to—so we set up camp on the banks of Lake Pukaki at Peter's Lookout (NOTE: The authorities are tolerant of "free camping" but it is not actually legal). Again we have an amazing view of a lake and snow-capped mountains. Reminds me of pictures I've seen of Canada, no bears though! Made beef stroganoff for dinner, sat back with red wine and just looked at the view with the light gently slipping away. Jeff thought he'd go for a little walk down to the lake edge, he was soon back as he got a bit freaked out by the quietness of the place—there's only us here—or it could be that I spooked him by reminding him to take his penknife! The weather today has been very usual, it's both hot and sunny but there's a cold wind, probably something to do with the mountains.