Friday 7^th. March.

Please see an essential addition to yesterday’s post; inadvertently omitted: re Hayes Wire Strainer.

First of all today I could not miss the opportunity of comparing the Wanaka Agriculture and Pony show to our own Lincolnshire Show. It draws farmers in from a wide area, and also panders to the ordinary public, and the rich who have holiday homes in Wanaka. It was just the same as the Lincolnshire Show, but about a third of the size in all aspects. There was less machinery, and that much smaller and only for grass and livestock farming, and plenty of small commercial stands for farmers and public. Also the car stands selling, BMW, Mercs, Audi, and Range Rover, but what you don’t get at Lincolnshire Show, lots of speedboats (Wanaka is a lakeside – and skiing – holiday resort) and a helicopter. Not so many livestock, but the best breeders of sheep were there to advertise their product. The whole affair takes over the town park, and all the streets and Lake Front car parks are jam packed: but it works.

 

 

 

I then set off for Roy’s Peak, it having been recommended by a chance acquaintance. Not very inspiring to look at, and it turns out to be a zig zag track all the way to the top; grass at first, dust at the top. There is a radio mast at the top so I guess the track was made for that. Quite a slog at about 1200 metres of ascent, but the views from the top of Lake Wanaka, surrounding hills and the distant glacier clad Mount Aspiring Range were very good. 

 

Looking down on Wanaka and the A&P Show in the town centre park

Mount Aspiring

 

The Zig Zag Track

 

To the Top of the Lake

 

For Rosey: Late flowering Dogrose on the way down: Her and my favourite flower, but I don’t think they are as good as our UK variety. 

After getting down I just had time to catch the last wine tasting at the local vineyard, the oldest in Otago.  Tried 8 (spitting out as I was still driving) from Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir to Riesling and Gewurtztraminer, but wasn’t too impressed by any but the most expensive Pinot Noir, and I am usually a Sauvignon Blanc drinker by preference: so I duly bought a couple of the expensive best, and cracked one for tonight and tomorrow night’s meal.