Yet more stunning scenery

We pulled up bright and early outside Wanaka Auto Electrical this morning, hoping that someone would be able to deal with us, even though we hadn’t made a workshop booking.  The friendly staff couldn’t have been more helpful and checked out our batteries straight away.  We have been loaned a couple of batteries overnight, and will be returning the following morning to find out how our original ones performed under test this evening and whether we have the same problem with our loan batteries.  We will report more on the battery saga tomorrow when we have more news.

8.30am on Monday morning

Then it was back to Lake Wanaka for a last look around this very pretty town.  The place was thronging with tourists, all busy in the Info Centre making bookings for one of the many attractions, and the outdoor cafes were doing a roaring trade with the more leisurely visitors enjoying a coffee in the sunshine.  Looking across the lake we could see a touch of snow dusting the mountain tops. 

Lake Wanaka with snow dusted mountains in the background

But what’s this beneath our feet?  It was the “Historical Millennium Path”, opened in 2001, and featuring a series of terracotta tiles, one for each year.  It snaked along the path beside the lake, and each tile lists important happenings from that particular year.  Being a bit of a Tudor Royalty fan, I couldn’t resist this one of Good Queen Bess.

Millennium Tile Path

Elizabeth

As both Derek, Dot and ourselves are returning to Wanaka tomorrow (they have battery woes as well) we decided not to travel too far today, and are staying a few miles up the road at Lake Hawea.  We are camped up on a large grassed area behind Lake Hawea Motor Inn, and although non power, we have an ablution block and a laundry at our disposal.  All this for a small donation and a glorious view overlooking the lake.  It is a beautiful sunny day, and it is just like being in our own little piece of paradise.

   Overlooking Lake Hawea

Views from our camp site

And other view

There is no doubt about it, the scenery in this part of New Zealand is stunning, and we tell ourselves how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country.  And to finish off a wonderful day, the cooks get a night off.  The restaurant of the Motor Inn has a “Monday Special”, so we will all be taking advantage of that tonight.  Blue cod and chips perhaps, or how about a plate of ribs?  Whatever we choose, it is sure to be delicious, and will take our mind off our battery problems and the verdict which will be delivered tomorrow

Lake Hawea Dam