Mackenzie Country - Twizel

Fantastic scenery.  I love the contrasts here.

Autumnal golden poplar.  Sere summer tussock scattered with 'the fallen'.  Classically blue and white autumn sky.  

I headed to the Geraldine dawn service for ANZAC day - but there wasn't one.  I got there at 6 and then found out the service wasn't until 8.  So myself and the 3 other strangers there paid our respects, stood around avoiding catching each others eyes for a few minutes then one by one we left.  It's gotta be said that I was the last to leave - but I was the last to arrive too.

I stopped in Fairlie to pick up a bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee for breakfast - you just can't go past that bakery there!  Back on the road, and from the moment I topped Burkes Pass the weather was glorious.  I had the top down on the car in 21 degree sunshine by 8.30.

It remained glorious until I came over the Lindis Pass - by the time I got to Wanaka it was grey and spitting and I had to put the top up.

Had a wonderful international blip meet lunch at Snowy's.  Did a lot of talking, and it was great to catch up with blippers I've met before and to meet new ones.  Thanks to everyone who made today so much fun.