The Glorious water of lake Tekapo

We managed that evening to end up at the most beautiful lake I have ever seen, Lake Tekapo. The water is a baby blue colour as result of pulverized minerals (rock flour) that occur in the ice which is melted down from a glacier. The campsite was in a perfect position having the lake between it and snow covered cliffs of mount Cook. That night we went to bed with the side of the tent zipped down so we could watch the stars as we fell asleep (gag, I know), even though it was close to freezing outside. On my morning run I had a look at some of the trout hanging around along the banks and really wished I had a rod there with me. I do wish we could have spent more days relaxing there, but with me unable to find somewhere to rent fly-fishing equipment - there was not that much else to do, nothing in fact.

One thing I was doing was basking in the Giants superbowl victory coutesy of an Eli Manning / Plaxico Burress double act. Can't wait to see the highlights, it's been days and i've just found out the result.

Celia di end up getting some Merino socks in the village, we did want possum but it was sadly out of price range, and we headed off on our way. We passed a salmon farm and got about a kilo of salmon fillet for our dinner that evening. I promise you there will be no boerewors repeat. We drove and drove for hours through some very special countryside until we got to Cromwell. Its is a tiny town which is well known by some for the giant sculpture of stone fruit which stands outside the northern end of the town commemorating the stone fruit production in the area. We stopped and had some lovely pies, the best cider ever and some good good ice cream to top it off.

Next stop Angela & Johns place. I suppose we should have stopped to call, but you needed a phone card in all these public places. I manged to give her a ring when we were a few streets down in Alexandra and she was over the moon to hear from us, and in true Williams / Greek style, went back in to the store to get another two bottles of wine. We had a great evening with the Salmon prepared Greek style, Kiwi & South African wine, trading jokes and old stories.

Fortunately for all the following day was Waitangi Day, NZ's national holiday. I don't believe, and according to the people and press, that it'll be anywhere near as big as Australia day, so we're i the clear there.