Aoraki

Today we moved on to a place called Glentanner which is a few km from Mount Cook or Aoraki to use it's Maori name.

Glentanner is a cabin set up with shared facilities for relaxation and cooking. Again it was very cheap, clean and comfortable. We were able to prepare quite a feast of lamb chops(well, it is NZ), chips and veg in the communal kitchen then sit around a log fire watching TV. And once again we were the only ones around so we had the huge place to ourselves and the views from the windows were just stunning.......

It was so peaceful and Mt Cook so imposing. The blue skies just made it too...the middle of Winter and such perfect views. We were so lucky.

The boys had some great scrambles on rocks and I was petrified as we went up to one viewpoint to see the Tasman Glacier. I was in tears and found it very difficult. The boys had gone on ahead with Richard, climbing up and down the rocks, while Val was left with her wuss of a little sister who kept stopping and crying!!! It really wasn't that high but I didn't like it!

I was most relieved to get back to the bottom and for the boys to be back safely as well. They had no fear and I knew they were in good hands as Rich does a lot of rock climbing but as his arm was in plaster any way I was a bit nervous. It was all part of the adventure for Dan and Cam.

The tail end of the Tasman Glacier, with icebergs floating in the glacial river - quite impressive and not something you see down the river Hamble.