Tom Russell's Blog

Kia Ora

Thanks to Fiona for newspaper articles re James Martin and to Isabel for up-to-date political comment! Silence from UK based family members--I presume you are receiving these blogs! Have a good weekend in Cawdor, Sam.
Have moved on from Nelson going via the Nelson Lakes NP--disappointing as it is supposed to be "little Switzerland" From there we followed the Buller River to its mouth at Westport. Beyond Murchison is the Buller Gorge with the longest swing bridge in NZ It became a problem when a party of Japanese wanted to take individual photos on the bridge when other folk were wanting across! Had a pleasant trail walk to falls where kayakers were successfully going down them. Visited Lyell which had been a gold mining town 1827-1900 and now is a grassy sward. Life must have been difficult then with poor communications--the river was an important one-- and not much else to do. It was a beautiful run through steep-sided forested hillsides.
Yesterday we came south down the West Coast to the Truman Track and the Pancake rocks. The latter were incredible--layered sandstone rocks which have been punctured by the sea and there were blowholes, sinks, arches etc I've never seen anything like it. We then stopped in Hokititi and Pat found a wonderful Craft shop! The woodwork and jewellry were superb. Then it was a hard drive to Fox Glacier for a 2 night stop.
Today I did a pre breakie walk round Lake Mathieson which usually has reflections of the Fox Glacier--too misty today. Then we walked up to a viewpoint--quite impressive. Next stop via a corkscrew road was to Franz Joseph Glacier--Fiona has scaled it in crampons. We were able to walk to the snout and admire the crevasses, seracs and moraine. It was groaning away! We saw one of the many groups who are guided across the glacier. For the first time it started to rain and we retreated to the cafes! Intend to go for Queenstown tomorrow for a 4 night stay
Hope you are all well
Tom