Moke Lake - expect the unexpected.

Fern and I begin the day with getting berries, elderberry cordial, herbs, cheeses, german liver pate, bacon and black pudding at the Remarkables Farmers' Market.  Then off we go to The Boatshed for breakfast.

It is a perfect Queenstown Day.

I plan to walk around Moke Lake today. 

I have decided to take photographs along the path so that you can sense the joy of the walk.  

Farm fences are protected with climbing styles and boardwalks keep my feet dry.

I meet some wonderful people along the way. People from North Wales, Boston and Sweden. 

Where are the kiwis?

Come, walk with me….

I leave the meadows at the top of the lake...

Over the style and along the board walk with ducks swimming nearby.

 Briar roses, fox gloves, daisies  and Elder flowers dot the path.

The last part of the walk is on the road.

A kind and considerate driver in a red rental car passes me very slowly to reduce the dust.

The car stops a hundred metres ahead of me. 

It turns out that they are visiting locations in Jane Campion's New Zealand TV series The Top of the Lake which had been broadcast in Sweden where they live.

 Oh how I love the serendipitous friendship that happens.
Rolf and Ewa join Fern, Margie and me for dinner at our home.

 A perfect Queenstown Day!

New Year's Day, 2014 - Expect the Unexpected.

Sunrise over the Remarkables at 6.am.

Within the hour it snowed.

New Year's Eve

It is the last opportunity for a walk in 2013.

I set off with a plan…
Walk along the Frankton trail…
Breakfast at the Boatshed and lunch with dear friends at the Hilton.

Come, walk with me.

 My friends come to meet me and we walk along the Foreshore...

 Over the Kawarau Bridge...

and arrive in time for lunch.

Another glorious day in Queenstown.

Come, walk with me.

It is hard to imagine that there are storms in other parts of New Zealand.

I am walking down to the Frankton Trail and into town to church..

Southern rata in bloom on the lakeshore.

 Breakfast at the Coronation Bath house on the foreshore.
I wish you were here to join me...

I quite like this quote.
When we were on the motorcycle adventure there was a running joke about duct tape. Something along the lines of "If it moves use duct tape, if it doesn't use CRC."

Summer in Paradise - walking in Queenstown and the Lakes District

Today is a perfect day for a walk.

The gate is open...

Come, walk with me.

I have decided to begin my walks this southern summer at The Boat Shed cafe.

A walk, breakfast, chatting to whoever comes my way. 

I am in paradise.

While I am doing this Dick is riding a camel on an expedition somewhere in the empty quarter of Chad

Next door to the cafe is an old boat shed.
This boat is wearing a For Sale sign.

Let's walk along the Frankton Arm Track.

 Cyclists share this trail.

We are back at the start.
Let's go to the Remarkables  Farmers' Market and get some local goodies.
This sign catches my eye as I enter the market.
I am full of anticipation for this summer.

 First some Cardrona merino lamb and also some cherries, some Stewart Island smoked salmon and some deli food...

 And some luscious berries from David from  Goodies from the Gorge.

I am on my way home to make red currant jelly and black currant Jam.

A great start to summer walking in Queenstown and the Lakes District.