Haast to Franz Josef Glacier

A grey day greeted us. The Hotel wanted the equivalent of 9 pounds for a continental breakfast, blow that, so we used up our fruit and found a toaster. we really are tight sometimes.

We left and drove up the coast in the middle of a forest it seemed like. This area is a totally protected scenic reservesand nothing is done to change it and the sand flies love every minute of it. We had read about the ‘Possums’ this little furry animal introduced here many years ago to start the fur industry but now they have taken over the country and it is believed there are more possums than sheep.
They are trying to catch them but they seem to outstrip their captors however cars are having more luck.
Whilst driving every mile or so, you see a little pile, or big pile of fur, where the possum has been hit by a car. They call this ‘Road Pizza’ a good name however I do not think we will try it.

The road advertisements for safe driving are quite good here and they are aimed at speeders ( a sign says 100 kmh is not a target, it’s the maximum) and another one to help stop drink driving say's

Don’t

DRINK

And

DrIvE

Quite effective really, but I digress.

The journey to Frans Josef Glacier took about two and a half hours with most of it being in forest, so many trees and shrubs, and finally we reached the Fox Glacier. As we drove up the road to the Glacier there were markers showing where the Glacier was 200 years ago, and 100 years ago and after another two kilometres and a five minute climb uphill we were able to view and take a few photos. As mentioned earlier, the weather today was not to good and so the photos of the Fox Glacier (mint) were not great.

We arrived in Franz Josef Glacier and had lunch and phoned Mount Cook Ski Planes to see what the position was re weather etc and as expected they said NO. However they said tomorrow, Monday, should be good and so we are booked on tomorrow’s 0830 flight over the Glaciers and Mount Cook and we hope that we shall make a landing on the Glacier, better than missing in think.

After a very good lunch we went to our Motel, this is a very nice place with chalet style rooms, and a small seating decked area and a small cooking area. We also have an interent connection, not fast, but was able to catch up on the last few days blogs and some outstanding email's. We nowlook forward to our flight tomorrow with anticipation.