Wonderful Wanaka

It was a great start to the morning at our campsite in Locharburn, a breakfast of freshly picked field mushrooms cooked with bacon in a creamy sauce – just yummy.  The dirt road to and from this piece of rural wonderland was a little challenging, but our three drivers just took it quietly as they manoeuvred the two caravans and one motor home down the steep incline.

Here he comes

We had a short 34km drive to reach the Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park, our stop for the night.   Yes, there is a lake view, if you crane your neck and look over your shoulder.  But the camp is just a short walk to Lake Wanaka and the shopping area.

Enjoying the sun at Wanaka

Once settled on site, a load of laundry attended to, and lunching al fresco with our travelling companions, we went off on a quest to try and find an auto-electrician to sort out our battery problems.  The Sat-Nav took us up and down and round about, but to no avail.  In the end Robin asked a couple of locals, who sent us in a completely different direction.  Success – we found the workshop at last, but being a Sunday afternoon it was closed up tight.  At least we now know where to take the caravan tomorrow, and with any luck, the problem can be attended to promptly.  . 

With that little job out of the way, we drove around the lake to re-acquaint ourselves with  pretty little Glendhu Bay, made famous in a song by John Grenell (Hore).  The sun was shining on the crystal clear water and we walked along the pebbly beach, chatting to a fellow camper who was staying at the local motor camp.

Glendhu Bay

  With a name like “Mount Inspiring” it’s got to be great.

Travelling back to the Wanaka township we stopped off at the lakeside, and the car parks were chocker-block with people out enjoying the beautiful day.  Sun bathers were lying on the pebbly beach and a few hardy souls were braving the cool lake water.

Lake Wanaka

It is the season of change and the trees are a picture of yellow, orange and red.

Trees in autumn colours

Up the hill we went to the monument, which gave us an elevated view over Wanaka.  This is such a pretty place, without the brashness of Queenstown, but with comparable scenery.  Yes, we like it here.

War memorial at the top of the hill

Lake Wanaka and township

We will be up and away early in the morning on our way to the auto-electrician.  So it’s “fingers crossed “ that our battery problems can be resolved.  Wish us luck!

It is a celebration today this is our 50th day away on our South Island Odyssey trip.