I woke frequently during the night and each time scanned the vista outside for snow, but alas, I was disappointed. Lance got up at around 8 am and I was fast asleep. He kept saying something to me that I couldn’t quite make out, suddenly it clicked, “It’s snowing”. I was out of bed in a flash and outside in my pyjamas and bare feet. The tiny flakes melted as they hit the ground, but it was still snow, I was thrilled. It wasn’t long before Mother Nature had laid a snowy white carpet on everything outside and I was in and out taking photos and videos; still in my jammys. Jeff had gone to drop his car to have some work done and was picking up a loan vehicle. As the snow got heavier Kay received a call from Jeff, he was just up the road and the car had slid into a bank. Lance and I were both thinking the same thing, If Jeff lives here and is used to the snow, how will we be when we pick up our hire car today! The plan was to pick up the car and at 2pm take a scenic flight over Milford Sound, but the snow got in the way of plans and the flight had to be cancelled.
We packed up ready to make a dash as soon as the snow cleared, which it did before long and Jeff took Lance to pick up our little hire car, Lance was offered chains for an extra cost but declined. Not because of the cost, if it was that bloody snowy we would be staying put!
Kay in the meantime was meant to be at work but could not drive the usually ten minute drive to the local library. They asked if she could walk, so she started getting herself rugged up with boots waxed ready for the trek. Fortunately the snow abated before she left and Jeff dropped her off and we hit the road. There were still small flurries of snow (I’ve never used that word flurry before, never had the opportunity) and the world was carpeted in white, it was truely beautiful. What surprised both Lance and I was how quite it was when it was snowing, no sound at all and not at all like rain. You can tell that we are not skiers can’t you.
We have travelled through the Karawau gorge many, many times in the past but the drive felt like a first for us, everything looked so different.
Before long the snow was behind us and we drove on through the beautiful Otago landscape to Wanaka.
We have been to Wanaka many years ago but only for the day. This stay is to be for 3 nights at Mantells Luxury Accomodation and luxury it is. As I sit here writing I am ensconced in a day bed tucked in a window alcove overlooking the lake and mountains. Everything we need is here, including the huge projection TV, gas fire and glowing bath (more about that later). Our plan was to find somewhere that we can sit and relax without feeling guilty that we are not being regular tourists and this is perfect. On our arrival I phoned the owner Colin Mantell and shortly after, both him and his wife Annie arrived. Annie and Colin showed us the ropes, they live in the next door apartment that from what I have seen on their website is even more luxurious. They are perfect hosts and left us with artisan bread, eggs, milk, fancy yoghurt, beer and wine at our disposal. There are other bits and pieces like vegemite and they just told us to help ourselves. The view from the front of the apartment is just beautiful.
The mountains rise up from around the lake and dominate the skyline. They are ever changing as the day moves along and at times even disappear. I can’t stop taking photos of them. I would really love to know all of their names, but can’t find anything that gives the information that I need.
Lance and I settled in for the afternoon with a quick trip into the township for some extra supplies and to check the location of the restaurant that we had booked for dinner, Francesca’s. Fortunately we did this because we spent ten minutes walking around where google maps said that it was only to find it snuggled in behind the building with a rear entrance.
Back home I ran the bath and what a bath it is! A free standing bath made of some sort of plastic that at first looks like porcelain. As I was getting my self sorted with towels and the glossy magazines provided I found a remote control and couldn’t work out what it might be for in this cavernous bathroom. Low and behold the bath lights up and changes colour! It was the most delicious and extraordinary bath that I have ever had! I finished with a shower that is bigger than my office at school and had both nozzles buffeting me with water. Meanwhile Lance was lounging and watching the big screen by the fire.
Dinner was at 8 and we were starving by then. The meal started well but then was a little ordinary, in saying that, the beef carpaccio was outstanding with fat juicy capers and silvery anchovies.
Once again I started before taking a photo!
It came with grilled focaccia that I had to eat, so needless to say that it was delicious. Lance had garlic pizza bread which was also very good. The mains were okay and Lance enjoyed his beef cheek gnocchi, my ricotta and spinach cannelloni was sloppy and flavourless. Enough said. We had no room for desert so rolled off home to bed.
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