Stranded in Geraldine we have been saved by Myron and Alycen in their local Bed and Breakfast that we found after following some local signs to their home on the hill.

Our Scenic motel had managed to miss our (paid for in advance!) booking but had one room left in a corner, behind the other rooms with a view of several walls and one large motorbike that the next door occupant parked in the rooms outdoor sitting area, no natural light and no privacy. Oh and the TV is broke (who cares, we don’t watch it anyway). So in a word, YUCK. Give the man his keys says Mr Fogg and we is outa here. No sooner had we handed the key back and said we were not staying and the owner had flicked the sign from No Vacancy to Vacancy (who says ruthless capitalism is dead). Hello Tripadvisor!

So now we are in a private home up the hill in sleepy Geraldine with a fridge of free drinks available (free wine!!!!!) and the loveliest hosts who will cook us breakfast in the morning too.

It is also our last night, boo!! Mr Fogg is already yearning to start another trip, or better still to keep on going.

On a more upbeat note we stopped on the way today at Mount Cook and then at Mount John, definitely the runt of the mountains but rather cool. On top ( accessed by a rather steep single track road) is an observatory and cafe. The observatory does night time courses and opens access to the six different telescopes for viewing the incredible skies. Unfortunately staying in Geraldine we would be far too far away to drive back – can you imagine how much Mr Fogg is kicking me over the motel issue? (we could have stayed at Lake Tekapo right next to the observatory, damn).

Never mind. Next time….

[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]