Wanaka

After a week of big issues regarding my broken ( trashed, buggered, stuffed, munted - lots of colourful words used by the drainlayers!) drains, I was very happy to be in my little car, Ken, en route for one of my favourite places in the world, Wanaka, and a reunion with David. The 450 kilometres from Christchurch to Wanaka are sheer magic once you get into the McKenzie country with its gorgeous lakes. 

First up, Lake Tekapo! Despite the fast approaching rain from the west, it was still absolutely majestic. The temperature was a shock, though. I left Christchurch in a heatwave, about 28 degrees. From Tekapo onwards 10 -15 was more common!

It was a wonderful trip, with very little traffic around. In fact, for about 15 minutes I saw no-one at all. Pretty hard to imagine on a major road south. 

With the lakes behind me, the next spectacular part of the journey is the gentle, yet breathtakingly beautiful Lindis Pass, my Mum's favourite spot in NZ and certainly a place I love to stop and enjoy looking back down the valley with its rolling hills, covered by golden tussock, gently blowing in the breeze.

As you descend into the little Wanaka township, this fantastic view awaits you. This is one of our key tourist destinations, and yet it is nearly always so peaceful and welcoming.

What a marvelous place to meet up with David again after six months apart. We had a wonderful weekend at Edgewater by this lovely lake.

Saturday was brilliant, starting with a huge breakfast in the hotel restaurant, followed by a walk along the fabulous Clutha River. This time the river looked much mightier than it had done in April, when I walked the track with Dennis and David amidst the golden autumn leaves. It is stunning there at any time of the year!

And whichever way you look, up or downstream, it is incredible how the colour of the water changes depending on the light. 

As the rain approached, we headed into the Puzzle and Illusions Centre, the place we most visited in Wanaka when Mark and David were small. I had not been there for years, and although a lot of the exhibits have not changed, it was still great to revisit them. The Hall of Fame with all the faces which seem to come alive as you move around the room is particularly amazing and a bit sppoky!

Even the toilet is incredible with its cube abyss floor! A rather strange sensation to be sitting there!

The new exhibition housed somevery amusing ads based on illusions. I loved this one.

As forecast, the heavens opened as we left the Puzzle Centre and with the wind and the cold, we decided to take shelter in my all- time favourite movie theatre, Paraiso. It is such a wacky place, run by a lunatic Scotsman who has used donated second- hand seats of all shapes and sizes, sofas, airline seats, cars, etc, to provide the seating in the cinema. It is also virtually the only cinema in N Z  with intervals, only because he makes a fortune selling the most delicious, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and homemade icecream during the interval. You cannot resist buying something, because the smell of baking wafts into the theatre as the doors open at the interval, drawing you out into the cafe. The film only recommences once everyone has returned with their purchases! A unique, not- to- be- missed place. The movie, Victoria and Abdul, was great too.

Despite ominously dark clouds, we opted to walk into town for dinner

Passing the most photographed lone willow tree in the country,  and arriving just as the first squal hit the town, with ferocious and freezing winds and huge icy raindrops. Our Thai meal was delicious and by the time we left, the storm had passed, though the skies were still pretty dramatic.

We awoke on Sunday to a rainy day, but this was fine as it meant we could have a Lazy morning enjoying NZ sport, rugby and cricket, on the TV. 

We finished by having a latelunch, early dinner at the picturesque 154 year- old Cardrona Hotel before I had to once again say 'bye' to David. Not so bad this time, as I will see him next month!

This evening the weather cleared and all around Edgewater one could see the mountain tops were covered with a thin layer of fresh snow. No wonder we needed winter clothing and the heating on! Actually, it was  perfect weather for a spa, and that was just what I did! Marvelous.

The clouds had cleared and Wanaka Lake was back to being as beautiful and serene as ever, with the famous lone willow tree, seen on the far right of the photo. 

What a peaceful and lovely way to end a fantastic weekend.