Arrowtown, Aeroplanes and Gin

Howdy Neighbour and I went for a trip down Memory Lane - well, the Arrow River, anyway. We started the day with a hearty pastry overdose at Provisions Cafe.

Howdy Neighbour with the 'world-famous-in-Arrowtown' sticky buns

I miss this place., and I miss that face.

After a long day of walking, talking and eating ice-cream, it was clearly time for bubbles and more talking.

The Wee Red Hen

Trouble? Us? Surely not...

Flying back to Wellington, the views from the plane are outstanding.

My house is down there

Aoraki Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki

Godley River and Lake Tekapo

Islands through the clouds in Queen Charlotte Sound Totaranui

And back in Canberra for a gin tasting evening with friends. We sampled 17 varieties of gin, with and without tonic. We didn't know which they were as we took notes, and then their labels were revealed at the end, allowing us to see which had been our favourites. It's always good to find you like a gin that isn't outrageously expensive (Opihr; approx $60 for 700ml) or slightly more pricey (Copperwave from Hunter Distillery; approx $70 for 500ml).

Gin selection below fabulous artwork by Louise Numina

Some of the garnishes

Gindelle with some of the best

Gindelle and Calamity Sue

Different styles of note-taking

Week Forty-Six: Off and Racing

For the Great Galah's birthday we drove up to Christchurch through the fabulous Central Otago and South Canterbury landscape. He wanted to go to Lake Ruataniwha where he attempted to find something that wasn't there. It was gloriously blue though.
 

At Pukaki Dam, he wanted everyone to check out the big pipes, and he performed his one-man show, despite the signs...

At Ruapuna Racetrack the boys (and girl) get kitted out and listen intently to the safety briefing...

...before driving the cars. First the RX7.

Some last minute panicking and nerves.

And then it's all smiles afterwards.

The next challenge is the Formula Ford, which makes the drivers look like they're at the Wacky Races.

The drive back is a chance to check out Mt Cook and the stone cairn sculptures at Omarama.