Sunday 28 December

We woke up in the Portobello Road wondering where to go next. We looked at the weather forecast and saw that the area around Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound was going to be sunny the following day and then cloudy on Tuesday and wet on Wednesday.

One of the advantages of having the Mighty is that one is free to go where you like when you like and the instant decision was made to head west on the 300km journey to Manapouri.

We see off down Route 1 and there was a stream of traffic all travelling at 100 km per hour, the national speed limit.

After half an hour most of the traffic turned right and headed off to Mount Cook whilst we went on south to Gore. The road was empty and it was a great drive and we made good time. At Gore we turned onto Route 94 which we were expecting to be slow and twisting. Not a bit of it—it was straight roads and no traffic. We only saw a few cars and were at Manapouri before we knew it. 

A beautiful lake with views across to the mountains. We had made an online booking in the morning for a trip to Doubtful Sound the next day so we checked in at the office to make sure everything was in order. 

All we had to do was find a camp site for the night. No freedom parking allowed but we were directed to a site near the lake where we found this elderly lady owner. She was as mad as a box of frogs but the outcome was that we could have a parking space for the night with no facilities for 10 dollars. We were on our own with a prime spot—this was our view.

to say that we were all on our own was not quite accurate as we had to share with about 30 Morris Minors as this was their rest home!

some had split windows

and one from Z Cars

A walk along the edge of the lake

and a drink at the next door pub

and we were ready for the early start the following morning.