eyes front

If there's a fault in NZ roads it's that the signage (though otherwise excellent) is lacking in large, obvious indicators saying "GAWPING SPOT 50m on right" or "last GAWPING SPOT for 500m" so that if you feel the overwhelming need to stop and stare at a particular bit of scenery you can do so safely and easily.

We also drove through some flat, scrubby land today which was almost un-scenic.

After a final wander through early-morning Queenstown it was time to head off for Te Anau in order to catch a bus to a boat over Milford Sound tomorrow. Te Anau is extremely scenic too but seems a little bit purposeless... given the amount of supermarket and restaurants it must be absolutely heaving in the summer (with, I suspect, coachloads of codgers) but it seems to be shuffling its feet a little today. The initial plan was to stay here another night after getting back from the fjord but we'll be heading straight to Dunedin when we get back despite the longish drive just to get an extra day somewhere where there's stuff to do rather than just stuff to look at, especially when it has to be looked at from beneath hat and sunglasses as it's so sunny.

That's another thing; I thought the south and particularly the west of the south were supposed to be nice and damp? Dry as a bone and burny-hot so far. Doesn't stop everyone we pass from being togged up in padded anoraks and hats and scarves, though.