An End of Winter Break

As we ready ourselves to launch into spring south of the equator, we headed away on Tuesday into the wintery south for a few days with a stay in Wanaka and another epicurean adventure.

Our arrival was a little gloomy as approached Queenstown airport through the Kawerau Gorge.

The gloominess turned to rain by the time we reached our lunch destination at Cromwell, but when we arrived at our Wanaka hotel an hour or two later and 50 kilometres to the north west it was fine and sunny. We sat briefly on the patio in front of our room enjoying the brilliant sunshine and the view across the parklike grounds down to the lake.

Dinner in town that evening was enjoyed with a stunning backdrop of the sun setting across the lake and beyond the mountains.

Wednesday dawned cold (just a fraction above freezing), but gloriously sunny and still. 

After a morning walk along the shoreline (the lake level is lower than I have seen it before) to the accompaniment of the Bellbird' song, we headed across the Crown Range to Queenstown before making for Arrowtown for lunch.

Returning to the hotel in the early afternoon, we walked into town for drinks and dinner. The day was still sunny, but the wind had swung to the north east and had really picked up and whipped up the white caps on the lake. It was cold! 

By the time we finished dinner and walked back the wind was howling through the poplars that line the lake shore. We were glad to be back in the warmth of our room.

Thursday dawned fine, but that vicious north westerly wind persisted. Rain was falling at the head of the lake, but only a few drops fell as we walked into town for coffee.

After lunch we went looking at real estate in the area. An early dinner in a gathering evening gloom followed.

On Friday, our departure day, the wind was gone, but rain had settled in and there was thunder rumbling through the mountains. It was a good day to be leaving. I expected some snow flurries at the top of the Crown Range, but the temperature didn't drop low enough.

In no time we were in the lounge at the airport awaiting our flight. By the early afternoon we will be home again.