Glacier County

There's a nice NZMCA park in Franz Josef. It's surrounded in native bush and handy to the village. There were two other campers already parked, so finding a park was easy. I chose a spot at the back of the park. The door opened to a lovely private area between the bus and the bush.in

Once, we had parked, we were off for a walk.

On this particular trip, I wasn't planning on visiting the glaciers. But I enjoyed hearing the helicopters buzzing overhead as they took tourists to see the glacial landscape.

After a walk around the side streets of Franz Josef we went back to the bus for dinner. 

The next morning, I emptied and filled up with fresh water and carried on north.

We'd only been driving about 10kms up the road when I spotted a stunning lake with mist rising above it.  

Lake Mapourika is the largest lake in Westland and is fed by several small streams that run down from the hills. Because the water drains through the forest floor it collects tannins which give it a dark colour. Tannins are a natural organic material that are by-products of decaying vegetation. It made the lake a rich tea colour.

Lake Mapourika, is a kettle lake and was formed when a large block of ice was left behind when Franz Josef glacier retreated (14,000 years ago). 

Mapourika roughly translates from Maori meaning ' Flower of the Dawn'.  

If fishing interests you - Lake Mapourika is a popular spot for salmon and trout. Each year in February, for three days, the Lake Mapourika Fishing Competition is held for professional and amateur fishermen. 

Dog-Friendly Park in Blenheim

If you're staying in Blenheim and looking for somewhere to take your dog - Pollard Park is a beaut spot. There's loads of space, plus it suits all ages. 

Over the little red bridge is a rhododendron grove, although it wasn't the season for them to flower, there were hydrangeas planted amongst which added splashes of colour.

A stream winds through the park with weeping willows and many other trees providing plenty of shade. The water was crystal clear, perhaps it's spring-fed. 

 A generous size playground was a popular spot for kids of all ages.

Even the fitness folk have been catered for, with exercise stations dotted about with instruction boards explaining how to use the equipment.

I imagine the gazebo below has been used in lots of wedding photos over the years.

The rose gardens not only smelt divine, it was also interesting wandering around reading the names beneath each rose.

And like most parks, there were formal flower beds too.