More rain

Rained for much of the day in and around Queenstown but forecast is better for trip to Milford Sound on Tuesday.

Spent some time at downtown internet café trying to sort out flights to and from Tasmania in the New Year. Also need to fix up accommodation in Bangkok (Jan 25-29). Planning on a Marriott hotel as we hold vouchers for two free nights courtesy of the famed Breeders’ Cup debacle in Pasadena in October.

Visited Arrowtown 20 kms away in the afternoon, another ex-gold mining town with a main street like the set of a Western movie. Plenty of historic buildings remain, including the postmaster’s house (left), quite a grand building that reminded me of the policeman’s great residence in Russell on North Island. Dave

Flower Range

As we’ve pointed out on several occasions, the scenery observed while travelling from one location to another has often been spectacular, and always been interesting. Something else I’ve enjoyed has been the variety of flora at the roadside. I’ve already mentioned gorse and broom on some of the poorer upland soils. Another prolific plant from Greymouth southwards to Haast was the foxglove, with purple, pink and white flowers. Yesterday and today, the most outstanding example was the lupin, again in a variety of shades, blue, purple, pink, orange and white, often ranged along the verge in swarms.

Jean

Remarkable!

“The Remarkables” is a range of mountains south east of Queenstown and adjacent to Lake Wakapitu. Not unnaturally, several of the local businesses have used this feature as part of their name, so you can find Remarkable Physios, Remarkable Builders, Remarkable Vets and, as shown here, the Remarkable Sweet Shop.

Jean