Barbara's travels continue 2018

As always, the trip through the Lindis was magical, even more so as I was almost alone and could drive slowly through this ever-changing pass. The Omarama end is so gentle, with its long curvy roads winding through hills covered in tussock. It is so restful. The other side of the pass is rugged, with crumbling reddish cliff faces and narrow gorges. Edgewater's grass looked more like a golf course fairway. It is so green and lush here. So good to be back. That tree! Gorgeous as always. With extra time in Wanaka, I treated myself to a fabulous day of wine tastings, visiting a number of areas quite new to me, as well as places already visited, decades ago! Chard Farm, perched above the Kawarau Gorge, was the first tasting. Despite it being renowned for its wines, I was far more enchanted by the spectacular views. Not so keen on the narrow dirt road above the steep gorge though! After four very different tastings in totally different areas, it was time for the final tasting at Rippon

Summer is just around the corner and so before it gets too hot, I am leaving Mike,  to head south again. Poor Mike, in this photo he  is being terrorised by the blackbirds he normally chases, as they pelt him with cherry stones while he tries to lounge in the shade of the cherry tree! Despite some grim weather forecasts, It was a great day with just some gusty winds as I approached the Lakes. First up, Lake Tekapo with its colourful lupin foreground. For years I have thought about a trip to our highest mountain, Mt Cook, but have  never taken the extra days to do it justice. I will certainly be back there. Even the 55-km drive from State Highway makes the whole trip worthwhile, with such spectacular colours and Mt Cook looming larger and larger. With bad weather due later on, I lost no time checking in and heading out to the walk to the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier viewpoint. It was a hot climb up the steps to the lookout, but truly spectacular scenery. The  plantlife here is remarka

I am not sure if it is because I have been home over winter, which actually was remarkably mild, or whether spring is always so spectacular, but this year everything seemed brighter and more gorgeous than ever. As the blossom fell, it left this beautiful carpet of pink petals on the lawn - oh so pretty. Ilam Gardens, just a short walk away was such a special place to visit thanks hugely to this proud paradise duck partnership with their 8 cute wee ducklings. You could spend hours watching them and trying to work out how those little black and white balls of fluff become such elegant adults? The main reason for the visit to the gardens was, of course, the azaleas and rhododendruns which were just a blaze of the most vibrant and fabulous colours imagineable, not to mention the incredible fragrances. It was a dazzling sight. I haven't been away for a while, so was keen to get back on the road, this time north to Kaikoura. I cannot imagine why I haven't been there for a few years.