New Zealand - New Horizons

Monday morning dawned fine & warmer again in Queenstown. Bett & BB had risen even earlier as they were off on their adventure to Doubtful Sound today. This morning we were off on a new adventure. We were going a bit further afield to Ski at Cardrona. Marg & Pete assured us this is a great mountain to ski now our lessons were finished. Pete has promised me that the road up is not like the Remarkables Road. Peter M, Bill & I had to take a quick trip to the Kiwi hire shop to get fitted for our new ski's, boots & poles. Boots - I loved them from the beginning. That done we were off again. The drive is an event in itself about 1 1/2 hours through the Crown Ranges (spectacular) and then out the other side into reasonably flat ground then the ascent up the mountain rd takes about 30 mins. My first trip up & down had that familiar terror returning but after that I came to enjoy the drive.

We arrived at the car park, unloaded the boot and walked up to Base Camp. Cardrona is the most colourful of all 3 Base Camps with a great feel to it. The central courtyard area is full of tables for weary skier's to rest, eat, drink & recover. The weather was warmer in Queenstown but bitter at Cardrona. The coldest day since our first Sunday at the Remarks. Still not to be thwarted by such a little thing the 5 of us, (Peter M was back on ski's after his visits to the physio had things on the mend) kitted up and headed off to the slopes. A new lift here (Pommer - spelling?) was the best thing and Peter M & I were soon shushing up and down the lower slopes with more than a degree of confidence. Marg, Pete & Bill were exploring the bigger, higher slopes and having a ball. Peter M joined them a bit later but I stayed and played with the pommer lift for the day. A break at lunch time convinced us that the weather & the wind were not improving so we ate our picnic, holding onto our cups, as we poured the soup, for fear of losing them to the wind, and headed off down the mountain for the ride home. The trip down with the snow being whipped up by the wind made for some amazing footage. Once home it was time for a relaxing afternoon and just as we were leaving for dinner our other intrepid travellers arrived so we all set off for an Indian meal in town while sharing stories & adventures of the day. Drinks & rushes completed the evening and home to bed to rest in readiness for a 2nd assault on Cardrona in the morning.

Up bright & early and off again. This time armed with the snow report we thought we would ski early and then head off to Wanaka for lunch and a look at a Museum over there. This time on arriving a bright blue sky greeted us, still windy, but warmer. We took advantage of the shuttle (cattle truck - great idea) to base camp and before you could say 'snow bunnies' we were all off to our slopes of choice to play some more. Once again a successful morning for 5 happy skier's and we headed down the mountain for lunch as planned.


Down to the main road and a left turn and we were greeted by the most unsual (well, eccentric) sight I have ever seen. Bra's, yes bra's, many, many pairs all shapes, sizes and colours hanging on a fence, along the main highway. Why? Who knows but an attraction they are none the less. Of course a photo opportunity was created and after a suitable number had been taken we headed off as planned for lunch at Wanaka.

Words fail me (surely not) to describe the first look at Lake Wanaka with the Mt Aspiring National Park behind it. So many words come to mind but they have all been used so many times before - still spectacular it was. We had our picnic on the shores of Lake Wanaka in the company of Donald & Daffy Duck who were quite happy to join our little party. Once finished we set off to the Museum for the boys to spend some time drooling over old planes, trains & automobiles. This you might not believe but Marg & I stayed in our respective cars and slept as we were both a little weary.

The ride home took us through some new countryside, all flat and not quite right after the majestic splendour of the mountains. The gorges at Roaring Meg's Power Station put some interest back into the drive and the enforced road block for 20mins as we waited for some blasting to be done gave us the opportunity to 'goat spot' while we waited to move again.

Our day was still not finished though as we were taking a 'Dinner Cruise' on the Earnslaw that night. So on with the finery and down to the wharf to take a trip on the lovely old wooden steamboat. Again the most spectacular scenery with the sun setting over the snow capped mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Our trip took us over to Walter Peak, a working sheep property about a 40 min trip across the lake. We had a wonderful buffet (some never made it past the Salmon) and finished the night (how many puddings BB?) with live entertainment from the farmer who owns the property showing us his Sheep Dog (really)rounding up sheep & a shearing demonstration. An interesting end to a wonderful day. The trip back was complete with the piano player performing the entire songbook of 'hits' so we hummed along all the way back. Too tired even for rushes we all headed straight home for bed and dreams of more adventures to come.

Until next time.............