It was my cousin Lynne who insisted that a cruise down Milford Sound was a “must”. She also suggested that an overnight cruise on a smaller boat might be best. So I booked it.
And off we set, turning north, bound for Queenstown, for the bright lights and other humans beings with just the five fingers on each hand. Anyhoo, after a long, long drive through some of the most dramatic countryside we have ever seen it was on to Queenstown. Wendy had spotted a couple of off-map opportunities, the first being to add to my Winton collection. For those of you who don’t know my middle name is Winton and I have so far clocked-up Wintons on Scotland and Yorkshire, so now on to New Zealand.
To be honest I wouldn’t hold your breath ..
the lower and upper pubs were worse.
My dear partner in crime had also booked lunch at the Boatshed in Frankton and, boy was that a find. I had the Mediterranean Fish Soup and it was wonderful. It was just after lunch that Wendy checked the Satnav and discovered that our apartment was only three minutes away.
We had booked our little apartment for three days so that we could leave our stuff there whilst we travelled to Milford Sound. So, after a rest we got the bus into Queenstown and, boy, was that a bit of a revelation after Invercargill. Queenstown is brilliant, alive with people and just beautiful. We (I) discovered the Atlas Brewing Company pub completely by accident (aye, right) and there was real beer. REAL BEER!
We had a great night. Well, to be honest, we had a couple of pints, got the bus back and ate crackers and cheese watching Netflix. A great night!
But the next morning it was off to Milford Sound – a five hour bus ride, which is breath taking and involves mountains, mirror lakes, extraordinary, Hobbitses waterfalls and the most frightening 1.2km tunnel in the universe.
Then you arrive at Milford where your boat awaits you .. and your crew, all four of them, including, of course, your exec chef.
And off you sail into the most indescribably beautiful scenery in the world.
We stopped, dropped anchor and had dinner. By this time Wendy and I had made our new best friends in the world, two Canadian women who just shared out taste in awful humour and good wine, which made the whole experience even better. The food was really good and the views, well, unbelievable. So, off to our cabin for a great night’s sleep.
The next morning was even more awe inspiring. Wendy managed to get up for the sunrise. I got up for coffee.
Doesn’t she look good in the morning?
To Middle Earth and Beyond 
She does – it is pretty fabulous isn’t it. Our new best friends on board were a bunch of farmers from Haddington!,
Don’t th8 k you took my advice on the Tongarairro crossing though 😜
Eh, no. We just couldn’t fit it in 😩😊