It was one of those days today. It started well enough, I was on the wee ferry to Queenstown and over there before 10am. When I say “wee ferry”, I’m not even sure you could call it a ferry – more like a water taxi. I think it could hold up to 24 inside, and it was definitely an inside day today!

On arrival into Queenstown, I made my way straight to the Skyliner. I think it’s just called Skyline, but the mechanisms and pods are very similar to Mickey’s so it is Skyliner to me. Ever so slightly hairy doing that on my own! I’m not scared of hights exactly, but if I have someone to talk to on the way, I don’t notice how high these things actually are!

The views from the top were quite spectacular! Or I should say ‘remarkable’ as the mountain rage here in Queenstown is called The Remarkables!

The day started to go wrong on entering the Cafe Bar. The hint is in the title. I checked NZ licencing laws before I went to order and it was after 8am so should have been fine for a wee glass of fizz as a “well done” to me on getting up that thing on my own. There are times this trip where I have felt a bit of a ‘lush’ (or alcoholic if you want the real term) asking for a glass of fizz when it’s kind of early. So it doesn’t help when the staff then shouted “we don’t serve alcohol until 11”. Okay, so maybe she didn’t shout but it felt like it to me. If I was with someone we’d just laugh it off. but I felt a bit self conscious and ordered bubbles anyway. The sparkling water was much cheaper at $5.50! Fear not, I made up for it with an early lunch at The Bathhouse with not one but TWO glasses of champagne! Can you tell I still have quite a bit of NZ cash after my winnings in Auckland haha.

From there on the day had good and not so good moments. Delighted that I am seeing Maria on Saturday when I get into Sydney. I think I am in need of people time if that makes sense. I don’t mind spending time in my own company, and I chat to different people here and there for a couple of minutes each day but it is not the same as talking to someone who knows you. To friends who know me and Keith, and those who just know me. Phone calls are great, and it has been lovely to keep in touch with people that way too, but it’s just not the same as having a hug, a giggle, a cry, a good chat etc.

I think I know when I need people when everyone starts to annoy me and I swear under (and sometimes over) my breath. Without an outlet to speak/vent to – it’s gonna all come out at some point! So to the ladies who tried to shove in in front of me at Lindt, I hope you enjoyed your hot chocolate and yes, I did hear you giggling about me. I’m more annoyed at the staff member who acknowledged me before they even arrived but then went to serve them first. To the folk who can’t follow the “please wait here” instruction for the ferry, yes I know it was raining so you all stood under the tiny bit of shelter therefore got on first but it is water. You get wet, then you dry and you were all wearing thick coats with hoods! To the family in the pub sitting behind me just getting dinner at 2045, allowing your children to scream, yell and bang the cutlery about on the table and for the dad to have his chair so far out to block me in at my table for no reason, I hope you enjoyed your meal. There was no reason to stare at me when I started banging my cutlery on the table. I did not stare at you when you failed to tell your children off for doing it and neither of my parents were there to tell me off so…

See what I mean – I think I need to get some Miss Maria company!

After reading that rant you all deserve some stunning pictures of beautiful Queenstown!

Then to top it all off, Keith has clearly done nothing about the home insurance renewal so that payment came out my account yesterday. Talk about adding insult to injury! I did get the money from him, but it’s Keith at his best, doing all the big stuff, or bring involved in all his conference speaking or actually not even living in his house to get the mail for these kind of reminders. I dread to think what my poor garden looks like! I know I should be saying something like “oh well, not my problem” but
I loved my garden and I was the one who always looked after it. What the neighbours must think!

Easrly start for me tomorrow, off to Milford Sound – it is a full day from here, the bus takes five hours each way to get there – I am sure it will be worth it – as long as the road isn’t closed due to the heavy snow predicted over night!