After a couple of dreary days we awake to the most brilliant sunshine and the management committee immediately decided upon a cycle ride (our last in Wanaka) to view the best of Wanaka from a number of angles. We did not rush off as the temperature was very low ~ 5C at 08:00 but warming up quickly. Your dynamic duo set off about 10:30 and as you can see Lake Wanaka and surroundings were looking at their best.
The temperature rose quickly and by noon it was 19C and shortly afterwards reached 23C. As always in NZ, it feels hotter than this because the sun is so intense.
We cycled for about 23 Km and the LLW had an inspired suggestion - we should take the 14:00 boat trip around the lake. This meant that we had to cycle back to Edgewater at the rate of knots, have a quick shower, change and fit in a flat white and cake before boarding the boat. We managed this with aplomb and sat on the lakeside at the appointed hour of 13:45 only to find that the crew were very reluctant to deploy the gangplank. However, eventually we boarded and to our amazement discovered that we were two of only three customers (a lady from Zurich was our only companion). We can only assume that the weather over the past couple of days had made people reluctant. Those who did not book will never know what they missed - we had probably the best boat trip ever. The captain and crew were fantastic and we will never forget the views of snow covered mountains in a clear blue sky.
The photograph below is of Mount Gold which in the evenings is wonderful to watch as the shadows change by the minute. It gets its name from the fact that at certain times the mountain glows gold in the sunshine.
The boat stopped for about 40 minutes at Stevensons Island and we walked uphill for about 15 minutes to the high point of the island and enjoyed the most incredible views. The island is a sanctuary for the Weka which is a flightless bird indigenous to NZ. Being flightless, the Weka is an easy target for predators such as possums, rats and stoats which have been introduced to NZ, either accidentally or by choice by European settlers (and by Kiwis themselves in the case of the Australian Possum). Now there is an extensive conservation project to trap and eradicate these predators
Once back on land the LLW reminded the photographer in chief that he had omitted to photograph the wonderful lavender bushes at Bistro Gentil when we visited on Saturday evening. A brief detour and this was accomplished - these bushes were perfect and about 2 metres in diameter. Watch out for replicas at Skinners Cottage.
Back now to Edgewater and Ray decided that a swim in the lake was required (the LLW being a southern softie declined to participate). Getting in and out of the lake was a trial as a result of the very hard and uneven stones and the relatively long wade needed to reach swimming depth. However, your Geordie hero is made of stern stuff and no fuss (or relatively little) was made of this. It was not warm but very exhilarating and the views from the water were never to be forgotten.
After her extensive efforts in supporting this swim, the LLW decided that a glass or two of Pinot Gris, in the sunshine at the Edgewater bar was a necessity and it was a perfect evening to partake of this, as you can see.
Afterwards the LLW conjoined up another of her culinary masterpieces (apart from setting off the smoke alarm) and we are now ready to collapse after a wonderful but exhausting day. There can be very few places on earth as beautiful as Wanaka on a day such as this.
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