Greymouth - more exciting than it sounds!

Can you spot us in our sexy gear?

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Hi everyone, I was hoping to write this entry in a different font just for a change but I am sadly limited to the times new romans you see before you.  So Greymouth, definitely more exciting than it sounds.  Obviously it was still raining with no sign of anylet up so we went off in search of some more adventurous activities to make you lot at home jealous!  We had a short debate between black or white water rafting and with a promise o 100% money back guarentee if we didn't have the best day ever we choose to do white water again - this time though on grade 3 rapids ohhhh!

It really was the best day ever.  We arrived registered signed the waiver which ensured that in the event of our demise no-one would be liable and began to get dressed.  This took some time.  Layer 1 - swimsuit; Layer 2 - stripey leggings (yummy); Layer 3 - matching stripey thermal top; Layer 4 - New Zealand brown fleece; Layer 5 - New Zealand brown wollen socks; Layer 6 - the wetsuit; Layer 7 - the splash jacket, a fetching green and red number; Layer 8 - The Life jacket and finally to top it all off Layer 9 - The helmet and super warm gloves! 

So off we went all bundled into a four wheel drive truck, I really should have questioned the need for this earlier but at the time it didn't appear at all unusual.  We drove to the Tiapu river (River of the Monster) "Almost there" shouts our guide as he swingd off the main road onto a small dirt track between lashings of trees and ferns.  40 minutes later feeling a little bumped and brusied we arrived at the river side having driven through creeks, down canyons, along cliffs and past a herd of astounded cattle.  A quick we in the 'bush toilet' and we were ready for the off.  Jason our guide was excellent and talked us through all the safety procedures and we all helped to put the raft into the water.  Nic took the 'Bucking Broncho' position which means that she didn't have to paddle for the first bit just hold on to a rope and try to stay in her seat!!  I was at the back next to the guide which suited me fine as I Learned quite a lot about steering and wildlife.  The rapids were exhilarating and you really were out in the wilderness.  At one point we spotted some paridise ducklings and we then promptly found ourselves been escorted down the river by their mother.  As soon as we were out of their teritory she urned around and flew back to the duckilings.  We stopped in a beautiful canyons to have hot chocolate and a moro bar! Yumm Yum!  The rock was had vertical lines init to show the layers, but this was a rock that had been formed in horizontal layers and then forced up by the glaciers and earthquakes.  I should probably tellyou at this point that the river flowed directly over the australaisian fault line.  Oh er misssus!  We are of course fine. 

We arrived back at the depot and were shown straight into the jacuzzi, given a glass of wine/beer and told to relax.  It was all a lovely experience.  We also discovered that two people from the trip Sam and Andy were ataying at the same holiday park as us and so we were able to enjoy some extra company that evening and drink wine and play yatzee. 

Next morning - did I mention that it was still raining in stormlike proportions and backed up by galeforce winds - we headed to shanty town an old goldminiing village to hunt for gold.  You ill be very pleased to hear that we were both sucessful and have said gold to prove it although as to its value... I'm not seeing it.  We then decided that we would head north to nelson stopping off at the pancake rocks.  Lots more rain but it is due to stop soon.