What an experience on the Franz Joseph glacier! Helicopter flight upon to the glacier. Excellent guide, small group average age about 25 years (excluding us!). Wore crampons for first time ever. 3 hrs exploring crevasses and ice caves. Hard work but brilliant fun. Back at base relaxed in hot glacier pools, with our new young friends. Next day long drive for 10 hours to Kaikourai on the east coast. Nice to get away from heavy rain which hit the west coast during the night.
Whale watching in Kaikoura was brilliant, we saw 8 sperm whales, to see them flip up tails before diving was amazing. Lovely coastal drive up to Blenheim where we are now resting up in glorious sunshine before ferry to North Island tomorrow. Sue in her element now as we are in the heart of NZ Savignon Blanc country. This afternoon we are going on a tour of the vineyards.