Wind and Water

02/01/20

Was it cold last night! The 13 degrees outside during breakfast were downright cozy! We suffered another loss yesterday. However, of a different kind. One of the camping chairs simply collapsed!!! Quality is different .... well, on our route today we will get a replacement.

After a not too long drive, we reach the charming town of Geraldine. Here we try our luck at Hammer Hardware. Unfortunately, there is only one model of camping chair in stock. It seems unsuitable! The seat is so close to the ground that even a doll would have trouble looking over the table. The nice lady recommends the Outdoor Store in the next town. The next town is taking its sweet time .... Fairlie is similarly delightful. However, the Outdoor Store also does not have a convincing model in stock. They recommend the JR General Store to us. And indeed, this seems to be a shop where you can get everything. The chair model doesn't really meet our expectations, but the price is so convincing that it doesn't matter. We move on with a new little chair. Next stop: Lake Tekapo!

Five years ago, Lake Tekapo was the site of a family reunion with Uncle, Doodle, and Cousin. This time, we find ourselves in familiar togetherness on the shore. After Puppes' fascination with the public toilet has subsided (completely electronic and with voice commands), we take a coffee break. I brew us an instant coffee while the doll sets up the camping chairs on the shore. However, as the kettle boils, the wind also picks up significantly ... the doll is already chasing after the chairs! We sit down for coffee and muffins .... but the wind is now so strong that it blows the coffee out of my cup! Nevertheless, we persevere! When we've had enough of being blown away, we quickly slip back into the compact little castle and zoom away.

At Lake Pukaki, it initially seems warmer and less windy. The color of the water is indescribable ... like liquid glacier ice candies. While we stand on the shore, we realize that it's not quite as warm here, but even windier .... quite a surf! And every now and then we catch sight of Mount Cook in the distance.

But now we've had enough wind! On to Omarama, where we have a reservation for the hot tubs at 6 p.m.! But first, we have to check in at the campsite.

The "private" hot tub is fantastic, so is the view. And now a glass of Chardonnay .... but wait! I must have made a mistake while shopping! Instead of Chardonnay, we now have a well-chilled Merlot ... Go figure!

The return journey is record-breaking after deep relaxation ..... slowly😉😂.