May 8, 2008 - Fox Glacier to Greymouth

May 8, 2008 – Fox Glacier to Greymouth

 

Weather:  Started out in rain and fog but ended mostly fine 10C.

 

Two days ago we had gotten on route 6 just outside of Te Anau and we have been following it ever since.  Route 6 is the main north-south highway that crosses over the Southern Alps on the north side of Fiordland National Park and then continues north up the west coast of the south island eventually ending in Picton on the northeast corner of the south island.  It is one of the most scenic highway in New Zealand.  The ocean and surf views along the west coast are especially beautiful.  There are very few straight stretches of highway anywhere on it.  On the Queenstown to Fox Glacier part we always have a contest counting one lane bridges between team members.  Even though the team leaders count may not be right it is the right answer for the contest.  This year the answer was 28.  You have to aim well going across because they are usually quite narrow also.  The interesting one’s are where you share the bridge with railroad tracks also. 

 

The Greymouth Top 10 campground is one the nicest campgrounds that we stay at and is right on the beach.  It has nice showers, laundry, TV room, etc.  Plus it’s just a short walk to the beach as it’s in our back yard so to speak.

 

The Rush’s and Joan and I decided to go on a tour of the Monteith Brewery in town. 

 

 

It took about an hour and a half and was quite interesting.  I don’t think that we’re ready to try making any beer at home however, at least not until we study up a little more.

 

 

 

Joan getting fermented.

 

 

 

The yeast at work.

 

 

 

Sampling takes a while.

 

Afterwards we all went to eat at the Union Hotel which was suggested by the tour guide at the brewery.  They have a good buffet there at very reasonable prices compared to other restaurants we have been to here in NZ.  After we were in the restaurant for a while Joan and I were having feelings of déjà vu and that we had eaten in a place just like it somewhere.  They have kind of a unique way of ordering and delivering your food.  Well, long story short,we had eaten there four years ago.  It was a bizarre kind of feeling until we got it all figured out.

 

All in all a good day.

 

Kiwi Word of the Day:  Rattle your dags – Hurry up!