I set off towards Geraldine and the journey was pretty average. I stopped in the holiday park after asking where a campsite would be in the local dairy on the outskirts of town. I parked up and since I had found some food in the way of some smoked salmon that hadn't been eaten from the pre Christmas party at Heff and Tony Daley's I had little to do before bed so I decided to explore this small township. I walked out of the holiday camp and up towards the hills and dusk was falling. The road went up and I found a small conservation area to explore. It was dense woodland and a little spooky but I bit my lip and went in! The light was fantastic, as it got darker the sky, compared to the shelter of the trees became more contrasting and therefore it got very dark under the trees. I emerged and the sky was wonderful, with the orange streetlight and the purple backdrop the moody clouds looked spectacular. I spent lots of time taking photographs before I headed back to the campsite to shower and make my first cup of tea with my new stove and pan, I was very pleased with myself! haha!
I set off the next day and I went straight to Fairleigh and wandered into the iSITE (tourist information for NZ) to ask what there was on the way to Queenstown. The woman pointed out the best way to go and what to look out for en route. "... and someone said that the lupins are out and they are really good this year." I also asked if there was any internet access in the town, there wasn't but they had a computer and asked if that would do. I happily checked my email and looked for any messages from Thecla who I was hoping to meet in Queenstown. While I was online the iSITE ladies were talking beside me and then I heard "This girl is going up that way!" Since I was on my way to Tekapo could I take a letter to Santa Clause?!... No problem... I was honored to be asked and trusted as a stranger!
I set out and My GOD! the Lupins were amazing! I was shocked by how many there were. they lined the road in their thousands, I don't know how many plants I went past but it must have been more than 100,000! I traveled mostly at about 100kph and for every meter of my journey there must have been at least 6 plants of lupins in from the road.
There have been several exclaiming moments during my tour of the South Island and driving along this road getting used to the scenery and then being wowed by the mountain range looming up out of the ground happened for the first time between Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. This place is truly beautiful I realise! The mountains are small but steep and that day was crystal clear so I could see every one of them in the Mt Cook range. After I had dropped the letter at the Post Shop I carried on then turned off the main road just after Lake Tekapo and started to drive along the canal. I was glad the road was straight because I could hardly keep my eyes on the road the scenery was so beautiful. The colour of the startling blue water and the clear blue sky with out a cloud in sight made it one of the most memorable drives I have ever had the opportunity to journey along. I passed a salmon farm and watched the men working for a minute pulling large, thrashing fish from the water with a net. I drove on until I came to Lake Pukaki I pulled in and took more pictures of Mt Cook and got the obligatory shot of me on one leg making a star shape in front of the scenery.
Monday, February 2, 2009
I arrived and Tony warmly greeted me and sat me down with a drink and asked me about my journey and reason for being here. There was no sign of Heff but Tony informed me that occasionally she had to 'crash out' every now and again after a car accident a few years ago. Tony gave me a delicious supper of salmon and salad and then offed a tour of the surrounding area since I was new to the place. He was a really nice chap and showed me the highlights of Christchurch took me to the old buildings and showed me the sights from the warmth of the car because it was getting more than a little dark and chilly outside, in fact it was blowing hard and icy rain was pouring out of the sky. It was not completely unheard of to have snow in December but it was rare since Christmas day was the first day of summer he informed me. There was no snow but it was cold enough to make sure that the only time that we ventured from the car was to go to a cafe (in the old 'English architecture' buildings that had been made into a fully functioning arts centre) for a hot choc.
The next morning I met Heff and she was lovely! She apologised for not being around the previous evening and would I like to come with her to the arts market and to get some bits together for her pre Christmas dinner that she was having that evening with her family before they went to Dublin to celebrate Christmas with other relatives and would I like to join them? I was delighted to be asked and accepted gratefully. Before that however we met one of Heffs cousins for (only top quality) coffee (which Heff it addicted to!) who was down from Wellington with her daughter. She was making her first attempt at writing a novel and so the discussions ranged over which books she should read to get inspiration and how might she phrase this or set the scene for that.
The Arts market was buzzy with crafts people all there trying to eek out the last few dollars from the Christmas shoppers. the one stall that we went to was a dress stall and Heff wanted to speak to the girl who made the dresses but it was only her co stall holder there. We looked at the dresses for Heff wanted one made to fit her and she said that she had been loosing a lot of weight and would like something special. There were some beautiful dresses there and I was looking at one made from two squares of fabric cleverly joined. Heff insisted I try it on so we trooped off to the local public convenience, to save blushes. It did look great! Heff insisted that she pay for it for now and it was to be a loan and one I'd earned enough I would pay her back. It was done! And it was beautiful!
We had to go to lots of different shops and pick up food for the different parties that Heff and Tony Daly were going to be at over the holidays. Various berries, hot smoked salmon as well as a grocery run.
On the return home I was put in charge of the present wrapping after Heff proclaiming earlier that she had no wrapping abilities I said that I'd be able to help with that. I was handed armfuls of wrapping paper and ribbons and I was put to work.
Heffs' real name is Joan-Mary Heffanun and Tony Daly has always been Tony Daly and that is probably the way they will stay! Her mother came and her brother and the cousins form that morning and the nephew and the brothers friend! It was quite a party and a real family atmosphere! I was privileged to be there and even was presented with a present of a beaded Tiki glasses case (which I was informed made a brilliantly classy tampon holder!)
The next morning was a slow start for all! I was planning on leaving that day and there were a whole lot of things I had to do before I could go. I went and met Heff's friends for lunch at a lovely cafe/designer clothing store. Then it was off to the dress makers that we had failed to meet before at the arts market and then up a local hill for some exercise before I headed off for Geraldine which according to Tony was a good place to head for on the way to Queenstown.
They drove me to a junction then waved me off, they went home I went on.
The next morning I met Heff and she was lovely! She apologised for not being around the previous evening and would I like to come with her to the arts market and to get some bits together for her pre Christmas dinner that she was having that evening with her family before they went to Dublin to celebrate Christmas with other relatives and would I like to join them? I was delighted to be asked and accepted gratefully. Before that however we met one of Heffs cousins for (only top quality) coffee (which Heff it addicted to!) who was down from Wellington with her daughter. She was making her first attempt at writing a novel and so the discussions ranged over which books she should read to get inspiration and how might she phrase this or set the scene for that.
The Arts market was buzzy with crafts people all there trying to eek out the last few dollars from the Christmas shoppers. the one stall that we went to was a dress stall and Heff wanted to speak to the girl who made the dresses but it was only her co stall holder there. We looked at the dresses for Heff wanted one made to fit her and she said that she had been loosing a lot of weight and would like something special. There were some beautiful dresses there and I was looking at one made from two squares of fabric cleverly joined. Heff insisted I try it on so we trooped off to the local public convenience, to save blushes. It did look great! Heff insisted that she pay for it for now and it was to be a loan and one I'd earned enough I would pay her back. It was done! And it was beautiful!
We had to go to lots of different shops and pick up food for the different parties that Heff and Tony Daly were going to be at over the holidays. Various berries, hot smoked salmon as well as a grocery run.
On the return home I was put in charge of the present wrapping after Heff proclaiming earlier that she had no wrapping abilities I said that I'd be able to help with that. I was handed armfuls of wrapping paper and ribbons and I was put to work.
Heffs' real name is Joan-Mary Heffanun and Tony Daly has always been Tony Daly and that is probably the way they will stay! Her mother came and her brother and the cousins form that morning and the nephew and the brothers friend! It was quite a party and a real family atmosphere! I was privileged to be there and even was presented with a present of a beaded Tiki glasses case (which I was informed made a brilliantly classy tampon holder!)
The next morning was a slow start for all! I was planning on leaving that day and there were a whole lot of things I had to do before I could go. I went and met Heff's friends for lunch at a lovely cafe/designer clothing store. Then it was off to the dress makers that we had failed to meet before at the arts market and then up a local hill for some exercise before I headed off for Geraldine which according to Tony was a good place to head for on the way to Queenstown.
They drove me to a junction then waved me off, they went home I went on.
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