A Very British Day Out

There's nothing like a leaden sky, mist covered mountains and torrential rain to make you nostalgic for home. That, and the sudden smell of fish and chips. One of the big surprises for me was the number of chippies in NZ. They may be even more find of deep fried food stuffs that we are. 

Not that we have tried NZ's version of our national dish. Not yet anyway.

And what do the British do when the weather is not fit to send a dog out? Go for a walk obviously! So dressed from head to toe in Gore-tex we set off up the Franz Josef valley to take a panoramic look at the glacier we visited yesterday - we were originally planning to take the stiff hike up Alex Knob (no sniggering at the back!) but we decided that the weather was not conducive. Or at least we would've if the most hadn't been in the way. Still it was nice to stretch the legs. 

If nothing else it gave us an opportunity to take part in our other favourite outdoor pursuit - scoffing at other peoples poor clothing choices. Yes it may be a little high-handed but anyone who thinks that jeans, trainers, a vest and a bin liner is suitable attire for a walk in horrendous rain deserves it. And don't get me started on the guy in flip flops. Sheesh.

We also did the usual British thing and carried out lunch all the way only to eat it once we got back to the dryness of the car. It's the thought that counts. But there is something comforting about stripping off in the back seat, pulling on dry clothes, tucking into a picnic whils the windows steam and the rain pelts the car roof.

After drying off back at the hostel, that is where the comparisons with home ended; I don't think you can see real love Kiwis or dip in it glacial pools anywhere in the UK. Maybe I'm wrong and Cleethorpes have just opened such attractions.

Well I'd better go - the sun is coming out and there's a promise of a beer or two before we head further south tomorrow. And to compete the home from home day maybe it's time we tried the Kiwi fish and chips......