Do You Know The Muffin Man?

Last night’s uncomfortable sleep meant that I was able to snooze through most of the long journey to Punakaiki. I woke up briefly to book my hike up Fox Glacier. I managed to get the last place on the full day hike which was lucky.

Stray are affiliated with Franz Josef so I had to organise my trip and transport myself. It was easy enough as the numbers for both the transport and hiking companies were 0800 numbers.

Recently Franz Josef Guides have stopped their hikes up the glacier and now only offer the heli-hike option. Although the idea of a scenic flight above and around the glacier with a short hike at the top seemed like fun, I’ve had my heart set on hiking my way up since booking my flight. The heli-hike is nearly double the price too.

For some reason it’s a decision which baffled some on the bus. I was the only one who chose Fox over Franz Josef. It doesn’t bother me though.

Like the long bus journeys made previously, there were a couple of tourist stops for photo snapping.

Seal spotting at Cape Foulwind

Blow holes at Pancake Rocks

Pancake Rocks

As Tia pulled the bus up the driveway to where we were staying, I was nervous. It was in the middle of nowhere. We’ve stayed in some lovely remote accommodation but Old Macdonald’s was a bit of a disappointment. I had my fingers crossed that this was a good one.

A friendly worker greeted us and pointed out where we’d be staying. All I saw was a hedge.

I paid at reception and unloaded my stuff from the bus. I was in no rush so I had a look around the main common room area. It was a cute cottage-style homely cabin. There were comfy sofas and a fully equipped kitchen. The cupboards were stocked with eggs and other nik-naks for sale. Freshly baked bread and muffins were also available to purchase. As you can imagine, my eyes bulged from their sockets. They were fat muffins too. The place was so trusting to have an honesty box there for people to place their money in exchange for goods.

Kerry came in and told me I best get to the cabin and claim my bed. I doubt I’d get lucky and have a room to myself this time!

I passed the hedge and descended down a set of pebbled steps. At the bottom, to the left, was a large cabin that included a dorm room upstairs and kitchen downstairs. I claimed my bed and was happy that they were neither hammock-mattresses nor bunk beds. I can stretch out and do full sit-ups head injury free (I have to work off those muffins somehow!).

Everything was so cosy and quaint. It was the perfect surroundings for writing so I decided to catch up on my diary entries.

Those from the bus split up and made their own arrangements for dinner. I had no idea what I was going to do yet.

Sam, a maths teacher from England, came up and we had a little chat. I showed her my ridiculous videos of me falling over in the playground I visited in the North Island. Sam left to finish off making her dinner.

A few minutes later Sam returned and asked if I’d like to join her and Hannah as they had loads left over. They’d made a yummy curry that would be rude to turn down. It did the trick and set me right for the night.