Diary 8th January 2001 & Images
Journey to Queenstown.

Monday 8^th January.

I left Tekapo at 1030 and drove south, being careful with my driving time as I needed to be at the Shotover office in Queenstown before it closed, to check out the times of the events that I had booked for tomorrow.

I drove south along the stretches of fine straight road	Passing the snowcapped mountains in the distance behind the undulating hills.	The road runs alongside the Southern shores of Lake Pukaki
Fine vista as the blue of the lake blends with the distant mountains	The natural wild flowers looked beautiful beside the road	I stopped at the next village of Lake Pukaki to stretch my legs
Took a brief stroll around checked the police car	I continued driving and got this beautiful panorama of Lake Dunstan. Notice the fast boat coming towards us.	The bridge over Lake Dunstan at Deadman's Point is a favourite spot for the boys to practice their jumping skills
These two lads were going to demonstrate their skills	From the railing they jumped off	then in the cold water they swam in to the shore
while their friends wait and enjoy the freedom and open air.	Across the bridge I quickly came to Old Cromwell Town	Nestled up here in the hills it is a beautiful little place with tables and sitting outside the grain store.
Farther on by the lake fishermen bait their hooks	Along the road I encountered this shop	and popped in to buy some fresh local fruit which turned out to be absolutely delicious.
Continuing this pleasant drive I eventually found myself overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown on the shore.	The town centre of Queenstown was a very busy place There appeared to be tourists from all over the world, young people with grips and backpacks. Shorts and hiking boots were as popular as jeans and trainers.	I found the Shotover office in the centre of town which was a very busy and interesting place. It seems to spiral out from this roundabout.
With roads leading off in all directions	Some boys in jeans ripped at the knee stride about	While others sit looking rather forlorn smoking hand built cigarettes
The national bird of New Zealand, the Kiwi, seen here in captivity	Cable car travels from the edge of the town to the top of the hill	These are the small pods that hang suspended from the cable
The streets and busy with tourists and local people	The streets and busy with tourists and local people. The hazy sunshine in the late afternoon found the people sitting at the street cafés.	The British Bar
As I wandered round the town I came across the Queenstown Scottish Society Pipe Band	I chatted to them for a while as they set up their instruments and listened as the lone piper squeezes wind into the chanter.	they told me they are about to have a new uniform as gilts are somewhat ad hoc at the moment.
just a quick shot of myself standing by my Saburu. I'd just bought the shades as I intended to visit the Glacier soon.	After browsing around for a short while I drove alongside the Lake Wakatipu. The fine shingle or course sand beach in the town	centre is an attraction for relaxation on a sunny afternoon
and a fine place to go and see the young guys bathing. I waited until they emerged from the water before taking the opportunity to ask directions to High View, Wakatipu Heights where I would spend on the next three nights.	I found Mike and Ann's house, my B& B, high up on a hill-side overlooking the town. Unfortunately there were many steps to up to the road above, where the car was parked.	Ann, greeted me and showed me to my room. It was a bright airy room overlooking the lake. Patio doors opened onto a balcony.

After unpacking a few belongings and settling in I asked about using the telephone to send some e-mail. This couple were very unhelpful and suggested that I went into town to send my email at their son's shoe repair shop as they are not keen to let me tie up their telephone line here.

I took their advice and headed back into the city centre. The son, Elton, unlike his father, turned out to be a really nice guy and I paid him $5 to polish my shoes for the first time since leaving UK. He allowed me to use his office to set up my laptop and send my e-mail. He told me that when I wanted to send some more on the morrow, to just pop down to see him and nothing would be too much trouble. I took my laundry into the dry cleaners then ate at a restaurant in town. I returned to my digs and spent a restful evening making webpages for the last day or two as there was still much to do. The weather was damp and the eveing cool.

Breakfast had been brought to my room when I was out and put in the fridge. It is very much a do it yourself and keep the guests separate attitude that Ann and Mike have to their guests. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone. This was quite the opposite to what I had become used to over the trip so far.

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