Had some grapes for breakfast and then headed out crossing the bridge with the Lupins beneath. Went up through Twizel and then took the Mt Cook turn off. If it had been a nice sunny day we would probably gone all the way to Mt Cook but it wasn't so about 3/4 of the way there turned around and came back with thought in back of head that we may be lucky and get some accommodation in Tekapo.



It was time for a rest. Margaret said I was mad but I already knew that. Saw a photo of a friend from the Netherlands doing it once and I thought if she could do it, I could. Got back to Tekapo but place booked out and unfortunately weather still slightly overcast. Cant complain though. On the whole trip we had 2 or 3 overcast days and not one wet day. Fairly hot up to 30c but no humidity. We had coffee and some lunch and then walked down to lake for some shots. This is where we were expecting our best shots of the flowers. With lake in background and hoping for a bit of snow on mountains way in background. Clouds a bit low but if we looked hard enough we could see it.



Native boy again with that hat.





Church of the Good Shepard in the distance. I read somewhere once that the church is the most photographed church in the world.



I have seen photo's taken from inside looking out that big window of the lake and Mt Cook covered in snow in the distance. This day there was a wedding on there so couldn't do it.





Margaret and I spent some time explaining to people about this dog. The story goes that its master used to go into the shepherds huts and keep the shepherd talking while the dog used to round the sheep up and chase them into another valley. The dog was pretty smart and seemed to know when Shepherd was going to come out and would hide down in the grass until he went back inside. They were finally caught and the guy went to prison and the dog was put down. I think they should have used the dog for breeding it was that smart. They should put a sign up explaining the story. I have since spoken with Brendan Dugan who had a hit with a song "McKenzie and his dog." Asked him if there was anything he could do to have a better sign explaining the story there. He said, " Funny you should say that. I just finished recording the song for a DVD for NZ tourism to be released any time in the new year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKjxjN0GbRo&t=10s The song. Brendan Dugan.

We decided we better get moving after taking lots of pics and head for Timaru back on the east coast. Had a great run except for a 15 min stop waiting for a house to go past. It was on the back of a truck. Didn't have a steering wheel or anything. :) Stayed the night in Timaru but we didn't really like the place. Sorry Timaru. Main st looked nice with all the decorations up.



Tomorrow we head for Akaroa for a night and then the last two nights back in Christchurch before flying home.