Today's challenge is kayaking on the glassy smooth Lake Mapourika. We had booked a morning session as the webpage said the wind gets up in the afternoon. Re-read the website as booked it so long ago, and it says 'moderate fitness level required' - we should be alright. Eric opts for not getting wet.
The weather has been kind to us as although they promised rain, the sun is shining.
Our guide is called Bronwyn and she kits us out in what are probably not considered high fashion items (although maybe would have been trendy in the 1980s). A splash skirt, life jacket and splash jacket later we are ensconced in a double kayak (more stable). They have a rudder for steering so the one who knows left from right needs to sit in the back. We didn't even have to get our feet wet, but Bronwyn (who was a slight girl) gave us a launch by pushing us and the kayak into the water from the beach!
A gentle practice paddle in the bay before heading off to the opposite side of the lake and the Kiwi Sanctuary. We are not getting out of the kayaks there apparently but the guide will give a little talk as we drift around the gentle inlet. Lake Mapourika is the second largest lake in New Zealand and is a 'kettle' lake, formed when the glacier that originally extended to here retreated leaving behind a very large block of ice. This melted over time leaving a deep bowl, which filled with water to form the lake as it is now.
As we get out into the open water there is a bit of chop. The water is 80m deep in the middle of the lake so we don't want to capsize here. Bronwyn has assured us before we leave that if we capsize she will get us back into the kayaks (even after she has seen how heavy we are when launching it). The views back to the mountains and glacier are really good. There are some scaup, blue duck and heron around.
It is a three hour tour so we have plenty of time to reach the other shore. As we approach the far side the chop becomes more wave like, occasionally as much as half a metre. Going along now requires more strenuous effort, this must be good exercise for us. Can't see what the person on in the back of the kayak is doing, but it is possible he's not paddling!
We stop on the other shore for a rest prior to paddling to the next bay around and the Nature Reserve. Bronwyn recommends it's best to head into wind and waves as going across both makes for difficult paddling. The waves are hitting the front of the kayak and splashing my face and jacket. Don't feel wet though. Our guide decides that whilst we might make it into the next bay, getting out again will be very tricky as, even though it's sunny, conditions on the water are about as extreme as it gets in Lake Mapourika (what happened to the glassy waters?). Abandoning this part of the trip she asks us to stay close to her and follow the same line as we traverse back across the lake. The other side is calmer and we stop for our info chat here instead. A damselfly lands on my paddle as she chats.
You can just about see a red damselfly.
A pleasant amble of a paddle back to the beach along this side of the lake.
The guide takes pictures of everyone, plus a group photo - there are five of us, plus Bronwyn. One lad from Milton Keynes, one from Dublin and one from Switzerland. All five kayaks are lined up for a piccie, she suggests a good idea would be for someone to stand up for a photo op. There is a deafening silence at this point. The guy in the back of the only double kayak volunteers, and sits down safely again without anyone toppling in. Not to be outdone by an oldie one of the youngsters then has a go too.
Find that the splash jackets (or in one case the splash skirt as well) do not keep you dry. The only thing belonging to the gentleman in the back of the kayak that wasn't wet was his socks and shoes!
The guide kindly offers to take our photo at the end of the jetty with our camera...we didn't realise the emphasis was on the end of the jetty rather than us.
To be fair she took a whole load of lovely photos out on the water using her camera.
We had thought we might do the Fox Glacier Valley walk this afternoon and the young lad from Milton Keynes asks if he could have a lift, he's only 18. Arrange to meet him after a change of clothes and some lunch. Lucky we packed our waterproofs as the rain had started as we reached the beginning of the walk. The hike is only an hour return but a bit more undulating than yesterdays, with three mountain stream crossings (one bridge, two stepping stones) plus a steep climb at the end.
The lad goes off before us. There are warning of water surges and some parts of the track are 'no stopping' zones because of rockfall hazards. This is particularly difficult when it is on the steep uphill path and you need to stop to catch your breath!
More warning notices.
Eric didn't heed the warnings today.
We eventually catch up with the young lad at the lookout and walk back together so he can have a lift back.
The front of the Fox Glacier, Eric reads out the history bits. 
We see some Department of Conservation Rangers just after one of the stepping stone streams - they are about to close the path as more heavy rain is expected and the route becomes impassable. Lucky we weren't stuck the wrong side of that when they closed it!
The rain is persistent and on our return to Franz Josef we retreat to The Wild Side Experience Kiwi Centre. See some young Kiwi in the dark house and an exhibition on glacier formation.
The sitting room back at the 'villa' is warm and inviting. A self cooked dinner and a relaxed night in before our drive to Murchison tomorrow.