South Island Holiday

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SOUTH ISLAND HOLIDAY As the car swung out over the side fellow T. and M.'s, and with Beth at of the "Maori" and landed with a bump the wheel drove to the Hermitage where on to Lyttelton wharf, the first stage we were to spend the weekend at the of our South Island holiday was about to Youth Hostel. We arrived late, cold begin. and hungry, to be met with "the lights Our trip across the Straits was un- have gone out and we haven't any more eventful, except for insomnia suffered shillings for the meter". Quickly supplyby some members of the party. ing the 1/- we had some tea. Later on the Rovers and Rangers arrived from With Pat at the wheel, and the rain Timaru and Saturday night was spent pouring down, we started off over the dancing to an antiquated tape recorder Cashmere Hills and skidded into Christ- with Boy Scouts. church for breakfast, before continuing on our way to Timaru. After touring Sunday Beth and Pat took the bus to around we found the Youth Hostel, our Ball Hut to try out the skiing there. overnight stopping place. In the morn- The view was magnificent, but the skiing, ing we were rearing to go. The weather well !! Bernice and Joy decided to being beautifully fine, we were able to take the easiest way and landed on the have an excellent view of the Mountains Tasman Glacier (by 'plane of course). which were going to haunt us for the Monday we moved on to Christchurch next three and a half weeks. via Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo and Onto Dunedin, "The Edinburgh of the Timaru. Television was a welcome sigh: South", Invercargill, Bluff and subse- after two and half weeks without it. quently Te Anau. Here we decided to On the move again, next stop D'Urville chance our luck on the Homer tunnel Island via Blenheim, Rai Valley and and we were able to get right through French Pass. Here we spent three and to Milford Sound and see the majestic a half days almost isolated from civilisa- Mitre Peak for ourselves. The scenery tion at Port Hardy. Our nearest neighalong the Eglinton Valley as you, rise bour was half a mile across the bay. towards the Homer tunnel must be some Sunday we tramped 14 miles over to the of the best in New Zealand. Shrouded other side of the island to Leo's. Allan in mist, snow-clad, bush-laden peaks on Dyer and Harold Trask have spent either side. some time fishing in this area-so we are If we had had our 303 with us we told. Arriving back at Port Hardy we could have had venison for tea. Three learnt we had to get up at 3 a.m. to deer walked straight across in front of get back to French Pass by fishing boat. the car, looked at us and walked back Monday and Tuesday we at again!! spent As the weather was deteriorating we Golden Downs Forest with Heather and moved on to Queenstown a day early, Cliff Dockery. During our stay we had arriving there in time to meet the T. the misfortune to hit a sheep at 50 milcs and M.'s coming off the bus from an hour. The sheep was a "gonner". Coronet Peak. and it wasn't until we arrived home that we realised that the front of the car had Monday we spent sight-seeing, climb- quite a dent in it and that was why the ing half way up Ben Lomond, almost bonnet wouldn't stay closed. Fresh putting the "Vanguard" over into Lake mutton and home spun socks! Wakatipu. and ice skating in the evening And so to Picton and the "Aramoana" at Rum Gulley. for our transport home. Arriving home Tuesday we decided to have a go on at 5.40 p.m. after a terrific holiday away the boards at Coronet Peak and from the hospital (to which we had to thoroughly enjoyed it, especially falling return to recover). off! after To round it off three of us spent the Wednesday night, a very success- weekend at Ruapehu for the Club Ski ful evening two of our party were put Sports. to bed. Those involved, Pat Nevitt, Beth Thursday arrived wet and cold, no Jefferies, Bernice Dale and Joy Corney. chance to ski, SO after lunch in town From the 30th July to 27th August we spent the afternon at Arthurs Point, inclusive. the "Vanguard" acting as taxi. Friday morning we said farewell to our Total mileage 2,331.