Wednesday, 26 November 2025

On to Franz Joseph

 




Off-road cyclists out there may like to hear there is a fabulous hillside-hugging track being put in beside the river to Queenstown. This is a 13km stretch - the Wharehuani Trail which is set in the Whakatipo Basin. It provides a vital link between Arrowtown and Arthur's Point.  Where they reach a rocky outcrop they put a metal bridge around it so cyclists safely cycle around it.



We drove past endless lakes.



Bailey bridges over . . .


Beautiful blue rivers.


Then we reached the far West coast and the Tasman Sea again.  Our driver stopped so we could take photos.



This is a little church just before Fox Glacier village. 




A couple of the older properties in the street where my accommodation was. Tam had booked another hostel for me and it was modern, bright, clean and a short walk from somewhere to eat. That was good as I had missed two evening meals in Queenstown as I was just too exhausted to go out into town and eat. . .  I lived on Baby Bel cheeses and crackers!



View up the street market from where I had my evening meal.


Grub!  I took the batter off the fish so I had a chance of eating both pieces. It was fresh and very like cod . I had a glass of the best white wine I have probably ever had - a Sauvignon Blanc called Montana. Such busy to it. I found out it's marketed in the UK as Brancott Estate but had a small bottle of that on the train and it didn't have that same depth.

14 comments:

  1. Well done for at least having some emergency rations. I bet that fish and chips tasted wonderful. The blue of the water just grabs the eye.

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    1. I am never without on a long journey. Baby Bel cheeses and tasty crackers helped me survive, along with crisps apples and cashew nuts.

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  2. Sav blanc from NZ is really different.. normally I wouldn't touch white wine, but that or an NZ pinot gris....
    We generally stuck to Top 10 sites...they have some really good cabins...one south of Hokitika has been made from containers and was really comfortable. Membership is fairly cheap and gives a decent discount.
    If you are interested in trains and planes try the Croydon aircraft museum on the way to Invercargill. Fascinating bits of NZ history.
    Just seen the forecast and it looks like you may be having a cold snap!!

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    1. 30 Deg here at the moment! We are indoors with A/C on and curtains drawn . Going out for a meal later . I'm back up in C/church now.

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  3. What lovely photos, and I am glad that you finally got a great meal after the cheese and crackers.

    God bless.

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    1. It certainly hit the spot! I have been short on Magnesium so have bought some to boost me up. I had painful legs and cramps in Q'town, not helped by so much sitting.

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  4. Ah fish & chips nothing nicer. Those houses looked a bit run down

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    1. Yes, I think the yellow one was abandoned utterly. It had been a fish and chip shop back in the day.

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  5. Replies
    1. I'm pleased. It's a bit labour intensive putting up a blog post via my phone or there would be lots more photos.

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  6. The blue skies and lakes, gorgeous.
    The meal and wine look tasty too.
    Alison in Devon x

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    1. My poor eyes got exhausted with all the looking.

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  7. Oh, that blue! It is just gorgeous! You really are having such an adventure!

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  8. Everything is going to be so grey when I get home.

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