Catching up with Nick in the MacKenzie Country

Me and my Boys 😍

A little tussle on Castle Hill

 Nick flew out from Perth for a wedding in Nelson, catching up with his old school mates. One of the boy's is getting married soon back in Perth, so while the Guy's were all together for the wedding, he organised his stag party in Queenstown the following weekend. So we were able to catch up with Nick in between and do a bit of tiki touring with him.
He flew into Christchurch to meet up with us on the Sunday evening, all staying with H&R. They very generously offered him a bed - and probably his last decent sleep for the next 5 days!

These rock formations dwarf the Guys 

We headed off reasonably early as we had plenty to fill in the day with. First stop was to  Castle Hill and the amazing limestone boulders reminiscent of an old run down castle. Bill & I visited here about 6 years ago - and were amazed with the formations then, so decided to share with Nick. Plus the country here heading toward Arthur's Pass to the West Coast is beautiful as you leave the Canterbury Plains behind and start climbing up the Southern Divide.
On our way to Castle Hill we passed a couple of Pie shops (I know some of you would be

Best Pies Ever! Well certainly today 😋

 surprised I can even look at pies after our earlier experiences in the Pie Factory) - interestingly both were advertising World Famous- one in Sheffield and the other Springfield.
As we had left the Bus back in Darfield we had no way of making morning tea - so of course we had to call into Springfield on the way back, but disappointingly they only had a couple left in the cabinet and not so appealing. I ordered a coffee only.
Then we were off to Sheffield - who had a huge range of hot pies. It was meant to be. And I can say all three of us thoroughly enjoyed our pies.
It was also about this time we heard from my nephew Simon the sad news poor Rowdy our Cat of 13 years had to be put to sleep as her health had been deteriorating. Simon & Nicki and their Girls have given Rowdy a wonderful 5 years living in Riwaka while we have been on the road. We will have a little memorial service for her on our return at Christmas with Rocky.

Burks Pass Garage - lots of interesting bits and pieces

 We returned to Darfield and picked up the Bus - or should that be the Bus picked up the Car!  Anyway, off we headed on the inland scenic route to Geraldine - via the Rakaia Gorge. Amazing scenery. pity there wasn't more time, but the day was moving on and we had to be at our destination before 5pm.
We had planned to stop the night in a POP (Park Over Place) that allows motorhomes to park up for the night. This particular place is a Brewery - The Valley Brewing Company just out of Geraldine. And with Nick now being the numbers man for a brewery just out of Perth, The Beer Farm, of course he was keen.

Bit cold to get the Boys up!
He's a bit big for this isn't he Sheryl?? 

 The Brewery advertises it closes at 5pm - we pulled up at 4.45 into the allocated area for motorhomes along with two Caravans already parked up - and rushed inside to order a "tasting board" before it closed.
Well we shouldn't have panicked - no one else was! The couple that own/run the place - Raewyn & Philip (ex Emmersons Brewery) were great hosts. One couple from one of the caravans was already sitting comfortably on a couch trying the tasting board, and the other couple (who had only just picked up their new caravan from Christchurch and were returning home to Winton) joined us soon after. Bill and Nick had a tasting board while I tried the wines. It was a very relaxing way to finish the day.

My Little Boy & I up at Mt John Observatory
overlooking Lake Tekapo

Surprise! Woke to a bit of low snow at Lake Tekapo

 After we had a few drinks, the Hosts kindly offered to cook us a meal if we wanted. Well I can tell you the 3 women looked delighted and took up the offer before the men could say no. We all sat around the table ( Hosts included as it saved us yelling) and enjoyed Spare Ribs or Blue Cod depending what your order was. It was excellent. If you are passing by, make sure you have time to call in for a meal and a drink. You won't be disappointed. (Perhaps I should take up reviewing Bars/Cafes as a job 😊)
So that was Nick's first night in the Bus - and he found sleeping on the couch a bit uncomfortable so he would be on the floor next.
We headed on through Burkes Pass where you must always stop for a coffee and mooch around the Three Creek Service Station that has so much memorabilia - it's incredible the collection they have - very eclectic.
And onto Lake Tekapo to the NZMCA Camp for the night where we dropped off the Bus, and headed off in the car for a bit of a tiki tour around Lake Tekapo. Ending up on the top of   Mount John at the University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory - which is
NZ's premier Astronomical Research Observatory. Back in 2012 the area was declared Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve where artificial light pollution is restricted - to promote astronomy. So it is quite a Tourist destination,(tho not much to see at night😉) and since our last visit, they are now charging for you to drive up the road (to help maintain the road of course) but you can imagine what Bill was thinking! But luckily Nick and I over ruled and up we went. Although the view is amazing from up there out over Lake Tekapo, the weather was freezing. So after a hot drink in the cafe and a brisk walk around the top of the hill, it was back to camp and turn the heater on.

Time for play- building snowmen.

An opportunity to wear
my new socks - thanks Wendy 

A photo me taking him, taking him at Tasman Glacier

 

Looking back down from the Haupapa /Tasman Glazier

What a surprise the morning brought with fresh snow on our camp Poor Nick had a very cold night on the floor of the bus, although marginally more comfortable than the night before.

Perfect day for Nick &  Aoraki /Mt Cook

Nick had time to do a wee advertising for The Beer Farm
(He's just behind the 2nd can on the right having a wee😟)

We were surprised just how much snow had passed through, but thankfully it was followed by a stunning day. Perfect for our visit to Aoraki/Mt Cook. This was on Nick's list of places he wanted to visit - I thought being spring who knew what the weather could be doing!
He was soooo lucky. We had the perfect day. We packed up and moved onto Lake Pukaki where we were to freedom camp for the night. Beautiful spot. So we dropped the Bus off, and after some lunch headed up the left side of the lake to Aoraki and the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier.
It had been 40 odd years since Bill and I were last up here, so our memories weren't that great, it was almost like a new experience for all of us. 😊

Enjoying a delicious meal of "Nick's Nachos"

 The day had warmed up to 22 degrees and the sky was clear. A perfect photographic day of NZ's highest mountain. And I can tell you with 3 camera's, there were plenty of photo's taken.
We did the walk up to the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier which is still supposedly NZ's longest glacier- and what a shock it was. It looked so small and dirty covered in rock and gravel - it was amazing how much it has retreated since  the early 1990's - very sad. The glacier is estimated to totally disappear within the next 20 years. A sobering thought.
We returned to our camp for the night, that overlooked Lake Pukaki and joined the 30 odd campers that had parked up for the night. This is a lovely spot that the MacKenzie District Council look after.  Such a beautiful spot - and for those lucky enough to have the perfect weather - great views of  Aoraki .
Night 3 was much better for Nick - more padding under his bedding and another sleeping bag - he was much warmer and comfortable.

Chilling with "The Dog" at Tekapo

The next morning Bill and Nick headed off for a spot of fishing - hoping to catch a salmon, while I did a bit of computer work.
Sadly no luck even though they were gone for a few hours.
We returned to Lake Tekapo for the night where Nick had organised a pick up early the next morning to take him on through to Queenstown and for us to return to Christchurch.
We enjoyed our time catching up with Nick and as he pointed out, it had been many years since we had had a holiday with him on his own (dropping him off at Uni in Dunedin with a double bed strapped to the top of Big Yella). Sorry the bed wasn't that great this time round Nick but hopefully the scenery made up for it. And make you appreciate the lovely country you are from. And of course spending time with your Ma & Pa xx