Lake Tekapo to Wanaka

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Kimber, lake Tekapo Twizel and Wanaka.
We had a good nights sleep on the farm in Kimber but awoke to cloudy cold weather. We left by 9 and as we travelled along the road, mountains on either side the sky began to clear and we could see the tops of the snow covered mountains. All along the road were lupins and then we arrived at Lake Tekapo. It was stunning! The lake was a beautiful blue and so still and the snow covered mountains were all around. We went to visit the church that was built around 1935 and saw the view the parishioners would see when listening to the sermon as there is a window overlooking the mountains at the back of the pulpit, the guide was a very pleasant fellow as we find most NZ people are always willing to have a chat with you. We then drove to Mount John where the observatory is and we could see 360 degrees around such amazing views of mountains and lakes and lupins. Returning to Lake Tekapo we just sat by the lake so peaceful. We then drove to Lake Pukaki across Mackensie country. It looked very dry and inhospitable, however the lupins and broome were still flourishing and in the distance the snow covered peaks could be seen. The lake was so beautiful we stopped to have a picnic by the lake. Met a nice family from India who are living in Australia and used to live in Petersfield, small world isn't it. We continued on our journey to Wanaka on winding roads through gorges and always snow capped mountains in the distance. It was very warm when we arrived and met Amanda and Rob at the house. After chatting some we went to their friends house for a pizza party. Kim and Ed made us most welcome even buying us Xmas presents. We met Richard and Helen who we are spending new year with and another friend Marjorie who has just returned from biking around Ireland. Ed makes his own pizza's and they were jummy a really lovely evening

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