Wanaka May 2020

Autumn colours had almost finished but that certainly did not stop Wanaka being as beautiful as ever. The lighting on the water both morning and evening was stunning. This was the view we had from our appartment, I feel very priviledged.

From a different angle at a different time of day,  that tree and the trees along the shore were transformed. It was incredible how quickly the lighting could change.

The pastel colours one morning were breathtaking. I am sure this would make a phenomenal painting.

And just a little later there was a lovely silvery glow.

Along some parts of the shore the last of the spectacular autumn gold leaves provided a stark contrast to the almost cloudless blue skies.

No words can do justice to such splendour.

No visit to Wanaka is complete without the walk from Glendhu Bay with David. Today was somewhat overcast, but still gorgeous thanks to the silvery light on the calm waters of Lake Wanaka. 

David headed home and friends, Janice and Gary joined me. It was fabulous to drive over to Queenstown with hardly anyone on the roads. Kiwis certainly plan to explore their own backyards now that the roads and key tourist attractions are uncrowded, but they have not started yet.

We sat in the restaurant of the historic Bath House on Queenstown Beach, a place usually packed with enthusiastic tourists, yet today virtually empty and wonderfully calm. I am thrilled for local businesses that next weekend, a long weekend, will see the crowds return, but this time made up of domestic visitors.

It is over 40 years since I travelled towards Glenorchy and I truly asked myself why it had taken me so long to return to such a magnificent area. How gorgeous is this?

Not a person or manmade thing in sight. It was a breathtaking panorama from Wilson's Bay.

On the way back we stopped in Cardrona to get a closer look at the 'bra fence'. There is a donation box there raising money for Breast cancer. It was a perfect place to post the ten dollar note I had found earlier.

Early mornings are definitely the time to see the lake at its tranquil best. Just me and those two ducks. Perfect.

I twice indulged in the delicious breakfasts that the hotel put on. Gone are the buffet breakfasts which are far from hygienic and in came the fantastic three  tiers of  goodies and a warm meal too if you want it. Delicious!

It was great to walk off the breakfast along the Waterfall Creek walkway. Majestic panorama once again.

Another favourite of mine is the Fisherman's Track beside the fast-flowing Clutha River. Sadly the trees were bare, but it was still lovely, and very uncrowded. In fact, I only met this rabbit on the way back!

We could not go wine tasting because of Covid 19 restrictions, but the view over the vines was nonetheless fabulous.

All good things have to come to an end and so I headed back to Christchurch with my friend Liz. It was a fantastic trip with great variety. We left in cloudy conditions, and then enjoyed some absolutely magnificent views over the Lindis Pass, where valleys were cloaked in hoar frost, providing a marvelous mix of the gold of the tussock grass on the higher slopes and the sparkling white frost closer to the road.

As we got nearer to the Lakes we ran in to some pretty thick fog, which although not too pleasant to drive through, gave that part of the journey a slightly surreal feel.

Just as I thought that we would not get to see any of the lakes, we popped out of the fog to this incredibly clear and breathtaking view of Lake Pukaki with the fog hanging over the corner we had just come from. 

At the next lake, Tekapo, we just had to stop to experience the Church of the Good Shepherd with no tour buses and virtually no people. It was fantastic.

And the views over Lake Tekapo were glorious - not a cloud in the sky. Really sensational.
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The paradise ducks were enjoying the peace and quiet as much as I did. This usually bustling area had only a handful of admiring Kiwis, thrilled to be lucky enough to have lockdown in New Zealand. 

Lucky people, for sure, and I felt even luckier when I got home and sank into my spa to enjoy the last moments of the day and to watch the moon and stars appearing.