time for a little venture - spring has finally sprung it seems
central otago is celebrating with it's annual blossom festival
alexandra is the hub on this saturday with a street parade and gala
it's celebration time with the seriousness of their winter now passing
we head out of grey and chilly dunedin as early as we can get it together
drive south past milton, hang a right and head for the hills towards central
the mandatory stop at lawrence for scones, coffee and country hospitality
then onward to alexandra and arrival as the locals also start converging
a parade soon underway and a comfortable vantage point is soon found
the monteiths pub - a dark ale and a platter enjoyed in the spring sun
trucks, trucks and more trucks - vintage cars, a pipe band and clowns
a sombre moment with fake-bloodied ww1 dressed soldiers on horses
we enter the ticketed area and peruse the many stalls flogging stuff
manuka smoked eggs, hemp oil and local saffron happily purchased
then a decision - enough - back in the pug and head further westwards
queenstown the target and always a drive of quiet anticipation heading there
arrival means the mandatory sit-on-the-beach and walk-around-the-esplanade
huge ice-cream cones in hand from patagonia - another tradition is observed
market day so quite a few people milling around and also enjoying the sun
head to the digs, check-in, check-ok, shower and then the next tradition
ferg-burger - a snaking queue so ferg-pastry is an option - pies - done
next day - woo-hoo - clear, still skies and a frost-covered windscreen
breakfast taken at the frankton marina - the old post office cafe - nice
then the very easy drive up to coronet peak with hired ski-gear on board
a small queue, a small walk and we're onto the quad chairlift in no time
10:30-ish as we disembark from our transport and admire the views
simply stunning with snow-capped mountains, lakes and blue skies
let the shushing begin as we first follow a wide path then head down
skiing is like bike-riding - never forgotten and the rhythm kicks in
the slopes are a bit crunchy but firm, smooth and accommodating
surprisingly low numbers of fellow skiers and more popular boarders
no complaints there as we arrive at the base and immediately get a lift
the ride up presenting an opportunity to recall past glory skiing days
nothing quite like it really and so happy to get back into the groove
aware also that our recent strict exercise regime provides payback
though after a few runs the knees and leg muscles are being tested
the hint is taken - ferg pies for lunch washed down with a mull wine
looking back up at the steep-ish slopes - conquered - we done good
dudes on guitars providing a nice audio backdrop to this fine scene
the afternoon then spent in the cycle of ride, ski, admire, photo, beer
a determination to stay upright means the limits only pushed in safety
hitting the turbo button only in smooth conditions to get wind-in-hair
hair-happy but legs-stretched so cruise control is the main mode in use
our last run perfectly coinciding with lift shutdown so we bid farewell
the easiest of drives back to our digs and a very welcome hot shower
back to the centre of this universe and a short queue at fergburger
sitting inside devouring their fine fare and some draught speights
all guilt-free - we earnt it - then a wander and a lakeside drive
an early night for a restful sleep and a fine monday morning
pack up - brekkie at a cottage cafe in arrowtown and head home
but first another tradition to be observed - lunch at mt difficulty
their platter-for-two and pinot-noir samples enjoyed to the max
sitting in the spring sun with no pressure - just more pleasure
driving on - a stop at ettrick to load up with fruit and wood
lawrence again providing the perfectly timed coffee stop
and finally back home with a very full car and bellies
we did it - finally - got on the slopes in nz - more please...
