After organizing 7 people and packing up 2 cars, we were off to Wanaka (sounds like Monica or Hanukkah). As is typical for New Zealand roads, the route was curvy and the scenery beautiful.
A brief stop along the way allowed Siddy to get a(nother) treat.
By 2pm, we were ready for a late lunch, and Monteith’s Brewery Bar in Alexandra was the perfect stop. We enjoyed puppy friendly al fresco dining accompanied by Murphy’s Irish Stout (for me) and followed by a yummy flat white.
Soon enough, we were back on the road but another brief stop, this time at the Clyde Dam, offered some nice photo ops. The Clyde Dam, New Zealand’s third largest hydroelectric dam, is built on the Clutha River near the town of Clyde
With 45 minutes to go, we let Siddy enjoy the breeze.
And THEN we arrived at our temporary home.
What an incredible gift this week in Wanaka will be!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Love everything about this post! Your temporary digs look pretty sweet!
oh my gosh, it is a wonderful place! Even though there are 7 of us, we are comfortable with plenty of room.
You’re such a good story teller, Laurie. I’ve long been in love with your photos, of course, and have loved reading of your travels along the way. Somehow reading about a trip that I’m on with you in almost real time has made me realize what a skilled writer you are in addition to everything else I love about you. This is so much fun.
Thank you for those kind words, Alys! Between the two of us, we will capture this incredible journey in word and photo. So glad to be here with you and the rest of the Wanaka Crew!
And I too am (was) so glad to be there with you. I hope to get to your posts tonight to read more about Australia. I saw a Sydney pic on FB. In a word Wow!
Love the pics! Wonderful post. Wishing you a wonderful week in Wanaka… 🙂
It is truly incredibl!
Reblogged this on Gardening Nirvana and commented:
Laurie captures our drive to Wanaka today. She’s an amazing photographer and a gifted writer. Come have a look. Alys
❤
It’s fun to start reading this on one friend’s blog then finish it on another friend’s blog. I loved that Siddy got a(nother) treat. 🙂 This made me smile all the way around those curves. I was getting dizzy in my armchair. Those are sweet digs you have and the scenery looks almost volcanic. I’ll take the Irish stout over the flat white. 🙂 You always make trips look so much fun by the way you photograph and tell the story. Not too many words either. 🙂
Hello Marlene!
Your name has been mentioned often, and it seems you are with us in spirit!
I do love that you would join me in enjoying an Irish Stout and am glad you appreciate the minimal use of words. Thanks for following us along on our adventure!
My daughter is here today and she has spent the last 45 minutes scrolling through your blogs looking at all your wonderful photos. She wants very much to live in NZ . Once she started looking at your photos, she couldn’t stop. You are very good at taking great shots.
So many of my favorite people in one spot makes it essential to just send my energy along to add my little bit of happy. 🙂
What a wonderful ride and temporary house! Your team picked the right. Time for you to leave Radford. A major storm moving slowly off the Atlantic coast is bringing high winds from the NW with window rattling gusts —up to 50-60 mph here. Amtrak shut down trains along the NE corridor, including the DC to Roanoke portion. Many flights were cancelled into DC. One that braved the winds was reported to have every passenger airsick and the pilots near to losing it.
Assuming Amtrak is up and running, we pick up a Jordanian student at 6:45 AM and park in Roanoke, all taking the train to DC.
You certainly singly picked a great time to leave Radford and the East. While our gusts were 50-60, Cape Cod topped 80.
Enjoy,
Love,
Janet
Janet, thank you for the weather update. I’ve been hearing a bit about the wind … sounds wild! I hope things work out for you and your latest student.
Thanks for following along on the blog!
It feels as though we are on the ride with you. What a gorgeous temporary home you have. Siddy’s enjoyment of the journey is making me smile.
Siddy has been the most welcome puppy! What a sweet and fun little guy. It would not be the same without him!
Thank you for following the adventures of the Wanaka Crew 🙂
Looks like you are all having a blast. A well deserved vacation for you, enjoy!
It has indeed been fun! I took at 16K hike today, with at least 50% of that just getting to the trail head and back. I took a beginning of the hike picture and also one at the summit just for you! Pics soon!
Wonderful. Your photography enhances the trip. I like Siddy’s windswept look
Siddy is a joy! It’s been so much fun to have him along, Derrick.
You’re really capturing both the beauty of the scenery *and* the camaraderie and joy of being with friends!
Hello Kerry! Thank you for coming along on the journey … it truly has been incredible!
Thanks for capturing our travels with your trusty camera and exceptional skill ! I didn’t even remember there being iron gates at that lunch spot, yet there they are. Love the photo of Siddy the most. I suppose he’s going to sleep for a week when he gets home. Maybe I will too 😀 xo kpb
The group of you look like a travelling party 🙂
Reblogged this on The Contented Crafter and commented:
I’m running so behind! If you are strll interested and not keeping up on facebook – here is Laurie’s account of our day long journey to Lake Wanaka and our beautiful holiday house
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