Hooked on Wanaka

Sunday 15 March

A glorious sunny autumn day - long shadows and golden light across the old graveyard first thing in the morning. Then, after saying goodbye to darling Bonnie, we completed a few morning chores, had lamb & haloumi burgers in the sunshine for lunch and entertained a visit from an adorable but rather forward Frenchie who invited himself into Banjo! Bonjour mon petit chien! Où habites-tu? 😂

Hopped on our bikes to go exploring in the afternoon sunshine - first stop, Hook Wanaka - Lake to Plate just up the road from Albert Town.

It’s a very cool space with a few large salmon lakes, an opportunity to fish for your own salmon and a really neat eatery! You can hire fishing rods, bait etc and any salmon you catch can be prepared for eating there & then, or taken home with you. So cool! The main lake, fed by a spring and it was full of salmon who jump when you throw tasty pellets in! We will definitely be back when our food budget is looking healthier!

From here we cycled on down to the Clutha River, admired the river view, watched a jet boat shooting past then followed the path back up to the bridge by the campsite and on towards the lake. There were kids climbing a tree and rope swinging into the river, but more impressive were the lads jumping off the bridge - some bombing, some doing manus and stars, and a couple doing amazing flips!

There were even a few more crazies riding the river down from the Outlet - one on a SUP with a doggo on board, and a group in a luxury multi-seater inflatable!

Back at camp a while later we had a snooze then plucked up courage and went in for a dip in the Clutha… it was soooo cold, even Kaia the collie was not keen on going in! Instead, she taunted a reluctant English lad to throw a stick for her, and then made him wade out and bring it in closer so she could grab it without getting too wet! Louis was straight in as usual, but I took a while longer and I think the close up of my face says it all!!!

Spag bog with a semi-naked husband in the evening sunshine then caught up with some blogging - and sorting through 300+ photos from the A&P show!!! Yikes!