A base for exploring

We have a bad start to the day - am not awake first thing and are 'debating' breakfast so strop off to the toilet. Come back to a cold cup of tea (was cold before I left - hence discussion)....but I notice that the front tyre has a two inch crack down it. I summon Mr Mechanic - he who is in charge of all things to do with the van from emptying the toilet, filling the water, checking the oil and water, putting diesel in etc - keeps him busy ! He looks at it and agrees it needs to be changed pretty sharpish. We had intended an early start but an hour later and we have changed the wheel and finally sit down to breakfast. The man in the holiday park office is very helpful and calls the tyre company and asks what we need to do - turn up apparently - which is good since it is Saturday. The tyre man deals with the motohome people directly and after some debate there is no charge to us and we have a new tyre on the front and the correct pressure in the spare....only 1.5 hours later than planned we leave to visit the museum and see the Tuatara's.  Henry Tuatara (big iguana like lizard incase you are wondering) is almost 120 years old and sits in what sun there is for a quick photo (ignoring the no photo sign like a naughty girl). Then we leg it back out and intot he van for the scenic drive to Te Anau.

First stop is Colac Bay for a cup of tea and chill out - I just love our gas cooker. We watch the surfers and then drive on to Tihaka Beach and McCarkens Rest Lookout for some stunning coastal scenery - think blue ocean, crashing waves, steep cliffs, soaring birds and snow capped mountains in the background - beautiful. So nice infact we have lunch here too.

The sun is shining and so we drive on to Clifden to see the historic suspension bridge and on again to Lake Manapouri where we walk Fraser's Beach for a little way before driving on to Te Anau positively worn out.

At the holiday park we book in for two nights and book a cruise for tomorrow lunch time at Milford Sound. (See 'The most beautiful road in the world entry).

Walk into town for a nice pub meal, a free beer with our holiday park card and some rugby sevens - the day has improved drastically.