Strange Phenomenon

Blimey, today's drive was a long one. 480km to be precise, and like I've mentioned before, there is no direct route. I suppose it's the equivalent of driving from the North East to London but refusing to acknowledge that motorways exist. Can you imagine that? If so, add to that thought a constant stream of campervans of all sizes, serious hills and more twists than Chubby Checker at a 60s disco. Not that discos existed then. But imagine it anyway.

On a more positive note, the scenery was stunning and the conversation delightful. Well I would have to say that! Oh and if that gets back to Sarah I'll know where it came from. I'm looking at you Pauline! It also gave me an opportunity to consider a strange phenomenon that I have started to notice. It was imperceptible at first but, over the last few days certainly, it's something of which I have become increasingly aware. 

At first I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me but I'm sure it's actually happening. I believe that since arriving in New Zealand my clothes have been slowly shrinking. I know. It's astonishing. And very difficult to explain. Could it be the change in hemisphere? Does cotton behave differently down here? Surely not. Is the air pressure different here? Could that explain it? But I don't think so. I think it is the sun. All those hours sat outside bars and restaurants is clearly having an effect on my clothing. It's the only logical explanation. If I'm right then I hope the sun goes in sometime soon - any more shrinkage and I'm in danger of being arrested for indecent exposure. Damn the sun!

Hopefully tomorrow will help - we're heading up into the mountains from our current base in Franz Josef to take a walk on a glacier. That's bound to be colder and help rescue my dignity. And if it rains even better - which is a distinct possibility as Franz Joseph lies on the edge of the rain forest and gets 7m of rain per year. Yes metres!

But in the meantime I'll try and keep myself in the shade whilst I finish this bottle of Pinot Noir.