Here we are again! First pic shows us at the camp hut at Lake Ohau. Probably the most uneasy night's sleep of the holiday (even more uneasy than with the cars crashing into the tent at Blenheim and the earthquakes at Wellington!) . There was a strong wind blowing into the hut in gusts. Plus a constant barrage of suicide sandflies attacking any exposed skin. We lit a fire and all camped on the floor. I was happy to get up at first light and to climb up the hill by the hut into the meadows. Apart from the stunning views (pic 2) and alpine flowers, I found several riflemen in the beechwoods.We headed further south towards Wanaka and climbed over the Lindis Pass. This was too much for poor Daisy (the van), who leaked coffe coloured liquid from her innards when we stopped at a little settlement to refuel. After a short period of engine inspection we decided that the liquid was the radiator fluid and that we needed AA assistance. 2 hours later we were still waiting. patrick amused himself by making plaster casts for his legs. Stuart amused himself and others by doing a magic show round the tables of the cafe. Daisy was hoisted onto the towaway truck and taken off to Wanaka. Stuart had his first experience of hitching as there was not enough room in the truck for all of us. The mechanic at Wanaka diagnosed a rusty radiator and faulty fan and suggested that we replace it all. We took our chances with his repair and headed west into the hills hit the Coast.
For the next thrilling instalment tune in again in a few days .....
In the old days people used to bore each other by inviting their friends round to look at their holiday snaps, which would arrive 2 weeks after the holiday had finished. It makes me feel old to remember doing that. Nowadays we can edit our pictures immediately after taking them, deleting the mistakes and blurry ones. we can take video and share it with the world the minute we get access to our computer. WOW! What will be doing in another 20 years time. Going on virtual holidays with each other. Instead of suffering all the inconvenience of actually going to South Island and the tedious journey involved getting there, we will go on a virtual holiday. Load the program, sit in a special chair, stick on a few touch pads and goggles. We will be transported to wherever we want, complete with sight, sound, smells, movement and tastes. The adventurous will be able to virtually bungee jump, or experience minor or major setbacks to their holiday so that they have something to share with their friends e.g. getting robbed at gunpoint or having food poisoning. You could go on holiday with anyone you wanted and have chats round the camp-fire with .... Jesus, Hitler, the Pope, David Beckham (yawn) , Richard Dawkins ... wow! I bags this idea in case anyone from Microsoft is reading this blog "Virtual Holidays Company" CR 2007 Mike Bryan
