Chilling in Tekapo

Tuesday 4 February

Pausing in Tekapo for a day - and what a beautiful day it was too!

After a very chilly start around 12C, temperatures climbed and the sun shone brightly.

I took an early wander to explore the slightly marshy area at the southeast end of the lake where lots of birdlife hangs out and the morning light and stillness made for stunning views. I also found the last remaining stand of multi colour lupins down by our side of the lake.

Then Louis took his bike out for a long cycle to the promontory then round to and up Mt John (home of the dark sky observatory). My bike is waiting for an appointment with Evo to fix the E part of it ☹️

After chatting with our caravan neighbours Robyn & Paul we packed a picnic and hiked across the Cowan Hill Walkway for amazing views back to the lake and across the McKenzie high ground. The hill was a nice easy climb through grassland which at this time of year is a dusky red colour. Looking across to the Southern Alps in the distance you could still see snow on a few of the peaks, but not many. We stopped at the summit for a nice picnic on the thoughtfully placed bench, then nabbed a passing French backpacker to take a pic for us! Coming back along the western side of the hill the surroundings changed along the way from grassland & ponds to pine forest, and then gravel tracks and finally a grass path behind various properties along the top of the Tekapo floodway. All in all a very pleasant though rather warm 5km or so of walking.

We were a bit toasty by the end and stopped in town at the Jack Rabbit for a cool drink before wandering back to the NZMCA camp via the Church of the Good Shepherd which was tourist central!

Back at Banjo I took a siesta then popped back into town for some supplies and Louis went for a 3km swim in the lake in training for his two open water lake swims next month.

Had an early dinner, smooched with Murphy & Ooger (Springer Spaniel & Wheaten Terrier respectively) whilst chatting with their owners then took a sunset stroll before bed. What a full but relaxing day… just what we needed!