Just checked in to the hotel and made a cup of tea which readies us for the usual admin and IT chores that need attending to prior to ensuring we can go into town to enjoy whatever it is local nightlife in Greymouth may have to offer.
Today started with another natural early wake-up of 07:30 hrs. When opening the curtains we discovered the heavy rains of the night before had turned into a steady drizzle. Breakfast was quite a lush affair with toast, tea and juice. Having prepared today’s lunch ready for take-away-eat-as-you-go, we were good to go.
First stop would be the Franz Josef Glacier for a 1 to 1½ hr quick hike up to the base of the glacier. Alas! So much rain had fallen overnight, and was still coming down, that the path leading to the base of the glacier was flooded. No, let’s rephrase 
that: had turned into a wild flowing river!
Quentin wasn’t too positive about the views we’d be able to have from Arthur’s Pass, but as I’m a strong believer in “willing” things to be just right, Q also adopted this approach and we decided to stick to our original plan and make the detour via Arthur’s Pass. Although weather for most of the way was rather grey, scenery remains something to be admired, no matter what the weather. Once we reached the pass, however, it seemed as if we’d been transported to an entirely different continent, and not just a different country. It wasn’t long after crossing the pass, therefore, that we could be found drinking a cup of coffee on a terrace whilst basking in glorious sunshine and enjoying the antics of some local Keas.
As weather here was so greatly improved, we thought it would be a good idea to try to have a short hike on some of the tracks around the village. This excellent idea was soon undermined when we tried entering our chosen path, which was waterlogged.
As it was 2 o’clock by this time, we decided to head back to the car and slowly make our way to Greymouth. During one of the many stops that followed, the car was attacked by a group of very naughty Kea’s and some of the rubber on the car had to bear the brunt of their naughtiness.
As we approached the coast again and left the pass behind us, weather again started to close in. We’d noticed on the map we would be passing a Kiwi sanctuary/centre and as we’d still not laid eyes on NZ’s national bird, we thought it would be a good idea to stop off there. Don’t ask me how, but we seemed to have missed our turn (no sign???) as, before we knew it, we were in Greymouth. We’ll just have to wait until we get back to Christchurch where we should be able to see them at the Willowbanks Reserve, unless, of course, we’re lucky enough to bump into them somewhere in the wild.
P.S.: Had a great (huge) dinner at a local pub.
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