Mootons and Lakages

I have well and truly lost track of days. I think I left Christchurch on Friday and headed to the mootons of Arthur's Pass National Park. The nice lady in the DOC office (Dept of Conservation) had recommended a campsite and suitable hill for me to climb. It was called Woolshed Hill, just on the edge of the NP and far enough east to avoid the downpours.

The drive was stunning. I saw these structures from way in the distance and stopped to take photos when I past. It is called Castle Hill for obvious reasons.

I parked sunny and pitched tentage at Howden Valley campsite, to say it was remote is an understatement.

There were no fellow campers when I arrived and no running water: ( The drop loos were fooking Mingsville meets Stinkytown. Number twos had to be saved for deposit at a later date and number ones were taken al fresco; only the flies were happy with the sanitary arrangements.

The hike should have taken 5 hours but it was more like 6 once I had taken basking in the sunshine breaks and got totally lost in the bush. Check out bootiful pictures of mootons.

I stayed one more night at the campsite and then on Sunday set off early for the long drive to Lake Tekapo. I don't mind telling you I felt very grimy indeed and had to visit MDs for a latte and latrine stop as well as a full stripdown wash in the disabled loo. I now feel officially like a homeless person, especially as I had to put dirty clothes back onto my recently cleansed bod. You have no idea how much I am missing my makeup, perfume and shoe collection right now.

No freedom  camping in Tekapo, too touristic so everything is a licence to print money. I camped at the YHA, 20 bucks a night which included the use of all their facilities. Hot showers and hot food, double hurrah for me! I also got to watch a DVD called 'Horrible Bosses'; guess I'd know all about that lol.

On my arrival I wandered around the village and looked at the tourist attractions which took all of about 5 minutes. There is a church...

 

And a sheepdog...

And of course the lake.

I have no idea who the McKenzies were but they seemed pretty important in these parts once upon a time.

The next day was glorious. I spent the morning tramping up to Mt John's University Observatory; I love these shoreside wildfloweringtons.

I was gonna spend 135 bucks on the night observatory tour but when I realised I didn't get to stargaze through the giant telescopes I decided not to bother.

The afternoon was spent lazing on the beach.

Be warned, after 4 months I have finally discovered the panoramic function on my camera so death by panoramas from now on.

Today I drove to Lake Pukaki to see the famous Mt Cook.

Before catching up with bloggingtons in Twizel Libes. Tonight I'm staying with Jean and Gordon a couple in their 70s who are friends of Marco and Ursula. A warm bed, fooking luxury. This is a very sleepy Adilady saying lots of love and over and out xxxx