Gin with Geraldine in Temperate Timaru

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OK then..not exactly, but it was Macs Gold All Malt Lager & Marlborough Cab Sav, not gin. And it was IN a town called Geraldine and not some random woman i met in a bar (I should be so lucky...i'm a pensioner, you know).. And we couldn't have a drink in Timaru cos I had to drive to tonights camp, ie temperance..…but that's too long for a blog title, so gin, etc it is. Get over it.

Drove Eddie, Margaret and Shirley to Gerry last night (god, its getting crowded here) after STUNNING drive to Mt Cook (NZ highest & 3 x Ben Nevis)...along lake Pahakai. Resisted temptation to climb it as only had a couple of hours..so had a cappuccino and pear muffin instead. Clearly not as satisfying but sometimes you have to compromise in the interests of marital harmony..not to mention one's own survival prospects. But, hey.... maybe next time.... Mt Cook was a beautiful wee Alpine village...made me want to ski, but not enough snow on midsummers day, and anyway, left my salopettes at home by mistake.

Timaru was, well, average. Had a beach..Caroline bay..but not great & cold wind, so resisted the temptation to plunge into the Pacific. Not doing too well on the extreme outdoor sporting front really, am I? Town center ok but unfortunately whilst I was momentarily admiring the turn of the century ecclesiastical architecture, Shirley slipped the leash and escaped into a shop. By the time I found her it was too late. Damage was done.

Off to Christchurch tomorrow to swap Eddie for a car for last few days in NZ. We would be sad about that but Fiji beckons, so we might cope. Xmas in 2 days..hard to believe it...seems a bit surreal. Almost bought a Xmas pud today but realized I probably will have no way of cooking it so bought a croissant instead (aaw..).

Hope youse have all finished your Xmas shopping, trimmed your trees (that's a daft expression, isn't it?), brandied your puds, minced your pies and defrosted your birds ready for stuffing. Hope youve all been good and Santa gives you what you want. Ttfn. X

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Photos

A nice tree
In front of Lake Wanaka...a nice wee place

Mt Cook
That's the white one in the middle

Lake Pahaki and Southern Alps
Does it get any better than this??

Timaru Cathedral
And said shopping incident

Timaru
Caroline Bay in background.

Ooya b......
That's got to hurt!

A peaceful, literary scene
Actually I'm reading my beer mat..