Across to the lakes

on the road from Geraldine, roadside lupins and mountains in the distance

me at a viewpoint (coffee stop) near Fairlie



Tekapo - most picturesque dump station yet!




our spot at Lake Pukaki

view from the bus - Mt Cook in the distance

cycling round the lake

Malcolm finds a Xmas tree - just the right size

We went to see The Hobbit at Geraldine - in a cute little old theatre where they give you tickets off a roll and the seating is rows of old sofas with dubious looking throws.  There was an intermission and very DIY local ads.  Good old kiwi fun!

Then on a gorgeous sunny day we drove from Geraldine to lake Pukaki via Lake Tekapo.  We went to do our Xmas shopping in Twizel but unfortunately it didn't have any shops!!  Well it had some - if you are into fishing, quite a few cafes and 2 4-Squares (grocers).  So we got our last groceries for Xmas but I have to make do with a bar of chocolate and a magazine from Malcolm for Xmas!  Either that or a fishing rod.  Anyway I'm sure I can find something for him to buy me at a place with shops.

Today dawned cloudy but we decided to cycle some of the Alps to Ocean bike trail that passes near our bus.  Most of the time it was sunny (and not cold) with the mountains coming more and more into view.  We met 130 cyclists doing the ride in a group - they had a helicopter ride from Mt Cook to the road beside the lake.  This cycle trail goes to Oamaru  but we just went an hour each way collecting our Xmas tree en route.  After lunch it got windy and clouds came over from the Alps and big waves breaking on our beach - certainly changeable weather!