LOVELY LAKE WANAKA:

The view from my back section. Sometimes when I'm in the garden & there isn't a cloud in the sky, I think wouldn't it be wonderful to fly into Queenstown......& so it was yesterday. The day was magical, so much snow on these majestic mountains. As we flew up the Cardrona Valley it was so smooth & thick, reminiscent of royal icing on the Christmas cake. We came home over the Crown Range (chains had to be carried) very slushy but no problem. Five cars at the top lookout & the photographers were having a field day. Arrived home early afternoon & couldn't wait to walk round the garden. Lots of snowdrops out, Rhodo Seta, & several Camellias, but the background mountains had me spellbound, so I blipped them from the front of the house. Put it online & then came in to unpack my case.

Blimey, not two hours later the phone rang & it was WALKING WOMBAT ringing from Australia to say "welcome home" ! You could have knocked me over with a feather ! We warbled on for atleast 20 minutes & it was very exciting. She must have been wearing her 'Major Generals' hat & told me how she is marshalling fellow blippers for a blip meet in Wanaka on April 25th. All stops pulled out & they are full steam ahead. Wants to see the 'tree in the lake' & meet TUSSOCK. (Oops Boss, she did mention you, but I felt it was kind of an afterthought !) No really, she wants to meet all Wanaka blippers, & any other blippers who would like to join the party. It is going to be a wonderfully exciting occasion. Perhaps we should draw up a plan of our proposed activities ??

Thank you for all the lovely welcoming comments. It is truly great to be missed & lovely to be back in the fold. I plan to answer all the comments, but it will be a day or two. Have to finish unpacking & tonight the All Blacks play Australia for the Bledisloe Cup ! Even rugby takes precedence over blipping !!!

Another clear, cloudless day. It is as though God has leaned over & spring cleaned the landscape. Everything is sparkling.