Detour

Merry, merry all,
Well, so after a fantastic seafood lunch we hiked the highlands above the sea where the winds were about 60mph. Though it was a sunny, clear day the winds were tiring and so we made our way down to the shore and walked along incredible rock formations and viewed thousands of gulls and their newly hatched babies, lots of seals, and albatross. We then had a superior Thai seafood dinner with real beer this time! We were on the hunt for some Magnum Ice Cream Bars when I backed into a flower planter. I just tapped, and I do mean tapped, the sucker and it took the entire rear bumper of that cheap red car. I was in a little of a panic--Joel was calm and cool. We put it back together with duct tape, but had to drive it back to the Christchurch airport to exchange cars. That little mistake cost us one more beautiful day in Kaikoura and a few hundred dollars for that piece of plastic they call a bumper. So, that done we drove clear across the Canterbury Plains and into Arthur's Pass. We are staying the week on a sheep station (Flock Hill) and it is incredibly beautiful. We hiked down to Lake Pearson to check out the late afternoon hatch and access. Tomorrow we hike all day in Castle Hill area and Craigieburn. We cannot believe that more than five weeks has passed and soon we will be home. It is finally summer here and I am not looking forward to the rain. We miss everyone and will be thinking of you all more than ever in this week. Love, Linny