We were up early as we wanted an earlier breakfast as we had to be at the helicopter check in for 08.30. Breakfast was OK, quiet when we went and then as were leaving a coach group arrived.

We were at the check-in on time, filled out some forms and were given pass numbers, after 30 minutes we got told that it was cancelled due to the low cloud, so we re-booked on the 12 .00 flight. Went back to the room to lounge about then went back at 11.00 to be told that was cancelled as well so re-booked for the 14.30 flight which is the last opportunity of the day and also our last chance as we have to leave to drive to Greymouth first thing tomorrow.

So we went back picked up the car and drove about 5k to the Franz Josef Glacier car park, lots of other people are in the same situation so it was fairly busy, especially with camper vans. We then walked through a small mixed forest which had a lot of tree ferns before the vista opened up and we could see the glacier up ahead. Because of rock stability issues and the retreat of the glacier the closet you can approach by foot is about 750m but we didn't get that close, we only walked for about 35 minutes then turned back. The river running down was quite low but what water there was was running quite fast and was milky white. Although the mountain tops were covered with cloud the view to the glacier was clear . There were a few helicopters flying but non were landing on the glacier top.

The glacier face is quite blue, very different from the Tasman glacier.

We got back, dumped the car, rested up for about 30 minutes and then headed back to the helicopter check in but it wasn't looking good, low cloud hanging over the mountains. Our pessimism was well founded, no flights today, so a refund in due course via our agent.

Picked up some butties at the supermarket and went back to our room to eat them, I opened a bottle of red wine, went well with my chicken salad sandwich and crinkle cut crisps.

Fiona went out go do some window shopping which didn't take long, there are only a handful of shops here and at least one of them is selling Chinese made tat.

We need to drop the car off at the Avis depot in Greymouth before 13.00 tomorrow, the station is then only a 100m walk and we have to check in for the train by 13.30 for a 14.05 departure, the train is due in Christchurch at 18.30. With a couple of stops we should be able to do tomorrow's drive in about 3 hours, it will be our last drive here as we don't have or actually need a car in Christchurch.