I'm finally in Queenstown and it is good to see the sun and blue skies after a week of wind, rain...even snow.I was in Taupo 2 weeks ago, staying at the Taupo Ika Nui timeshare. It was a very comfortable unit and the weather was resonably good there for me to go for walks on the Aratiatia walkway, the Huka falls walkway,
the Acacia bay walkway,and the Tongariro river walkway.I also had a car, so I drove to Orakei thermal area and the "craters of the moon" in the Taupo vicinity.
Also saw the release of water from the Aratiatia dam, and visited the prawn farm nearby for a prawn lunch. They are apparently cultivating Malaysian prawns.
Met some timesharers at the coffee morning at the timeshare, and had dinner with Jan and Ken Dalley, farmers from Cust in Canterbury. It was fascinating to learn of their life on the farm.
I flew to Christchurch via Wellington. The Wellington airport has been refurbished, and the departure area is bright and active with lots of shops and food outlets, not to mention a full view of the tarmac.
A bright red Daihatsu Charade was my rental car from Budget. The 50min drive to the Rakaia Gorge started out to be quite pleasant because it was a quiet Saturday afternoon. Soon I reached the open Canterbury Plains where there were no wind breaks for long stretches. I had a hard, if not horrifying, time controlling the tiny car, which would slalom if I went at more than 80kph, and when large trucks and fast-moving vehicles passed me.
I was glad when I finally reached that winding stretch of road that I recognised from last year's trip. I knew my destination was near.
I was glad when I finally reached that winding stretch of road that I recognised from last year's trip. I knew my destination was near. The Mt Hutt Lodge is right on top ot the gorge, of which it has a spectacular view. I gratefully 
installed myself in the cozy unit and had dinner at the restaurant on site. Butch is the chef there and Jo is the chatty host at the bar.
The weather was just miserable on Sunday, but I drove to Methven, 20 mins away, bought groceries and checked email, talked to keryn at the info office and booked a Tranzalpine trip for Tuesday. Also attended service at the Presbyterian church. The congregation was very warm and welcoming. Stayed indoors for the rest of the day and later chatted with timesharers from Devon. They own at a very good resort in Madeira.
Monday dawned sunny and bright, as promised by the Met office. I dashed out with my leki to walk the Rakaia Gorge walkway. I did about half of the track and got gorgeous views of the gorge from there. I had thought of taking a jet boat ride, but opted for a drive into the High Country sheep farming area instead. After passing Terrace Downs
Resort, I headed for Lake Coleridge. It was a relaxing drive (no wind!) driving towards the southern alps. Having read the book West of Windwhistle which was in the unit, I had a good idea of how hard it was to farm in this inhospitable area. But on Tues, it was all smiles. I reached Lake Coleridge Village but saw no sign of the Lake, only the hydro electric station that uses water from the lake to function.
I expected Tuesday to be cloudy, but the whole trip on the Tranzalpine was done in clear bright weather. This was my 3rd time on the train, but it was the first time I was travelling from East to West. I drove to Darfield and waited in the tiny hut which was the "station".My hosts at Mt Hutt Lodge recommended that I get off at Lake Brunner/Moana and
I'm glad I did. I had packed a picnic lunch and ate that on the beach. Later I took a walk in the forest and then had tea at the picturesque station cafe. 
Well, I guess I had my share of good weather. The rest of the week was downhill all the way.
installed myself in the cozy unit and had dinner at the restaurant on site. Butch is the chef there and Jo is the chatty host at the bar.The weather was just miserable on Sunday, but I drove to Methven, 20 mins away, bought groceries and checked email, talked to keryn at the info office and booked a Tranzalpine trip for Tuesday. Also attended service at the Presbyterian church. The congregation was very warm and welcoming. Stayed indoors for the rest of the day and later chatted with timesharers from Devon. They own at a very good resort in Madeira.
Monday dawned sunny and bright, as promised by the Met office. I dashed out with my leki to walk the Rakaia Gorge walkway. I did about half of the track and got gorgeous views of the gorge from there. I had thought of taking a jet boat ride, but opted for a drive into the High Country sheep farming area instead. After passing Terrace Downs
Resort, I headed for Lake Coleridge. It was a relaxing drive (no wind!) driving towards the southern alps. Having read the book West of Windwhistle which was in the unit, I had a good idea of how hard it was to farm in this inhospitable area. But on Tues, it was all smiles. I reached Lake Coleridge Village but saw no sign of the Lake, only the hydro electric station that uses water from the lake to function.I expected Tuesday to be cloudy, but the whole trip on the Tranzalpine was done in clear bright weather. This was my 3rd time on the train, but it was the first time I was travelling from East to West. I drove to Darfield and waited in the tiny hut which was the "station".My hosts at Mt Hutt Lodge recommended that I get off at Lake Brunner/Moana and
I'm glad I did. I had packed a picnic lunch and ate that on the beach. Later I took a walk in the forest and then had tea at the picturesque station cafe. 
Well, I guess I had my share of good weather. The rest of the week was downhill all the way.
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