23rd Dec 2021 Hot, Sunny, Windy afternoon. Rest day.

6.30am wake up. Over to the kitchen area before anyone else to get the blog photos uploaded and any adjustments to blog done. Had a cuppa and while I tucked into some Weetbix and banana, Julia munched on some fruit. Her tummy has been upset the past couple of days, probably due to a shortage of fresh fruit and veges.      

Did some washing and left it to dry on the bench next to our tent and left our undies dangling from our handlebars in the gentle breeze of the morning. Decided to wander the 1km into town and get some shots and what a day for it. It was already warm by 10am and Julia had great pleasure in taking photos of as many lupins as possible. All with a perfect Tekapo backdrop.

Decided it was coffee time and as we wandered to the Greedy Cow, we spied Dot's van in the car park. Julia rang to ask where she was, but suspecting where. Two minutes later we were chatting away in the Greedy Cow, although with the screaming in the far corner, I thought we might be in The Whinging Kids Cafe. 

Enjoyed a bacon, brie, tomato and lettuce croissant with Ju and a sweet muffin and delicious coffees and a nice chat with Dot.  She told us that Dennis was due to arrive in Tekapo at 12.30pm so agreed to reconvene at the Greedy Cow then. 

We walked along the lakefront to take in The Church of The Good Shepherd, on the lakefront, which is one of those iconic photo shoots. Nice to think a hard working shepherd was rewarded when he got to heaven. "Thanks for all your hard work tending the flocks. We've named a beautiful church after you."                                    

I'm looking forward to my arrival at the Pearly Gates, although Church of the Grumpy Heathen Bastard, maybe doesn't have the same ring.   

We were very grateful to Covid for one thing. We had been told that it was very difficult to get a photo of this beautiful stone church without hordes of tourists round it, but there was hardly anyone there. And the people that did show up while we were there, were from Stratford!

Thanks for the photo, Stratford folk!

We now headed back to the Greedy Cow to.... believe it or not, have lunch, with Dot and this time Dennis, who was back after completing another section of the TA trail. Dennis and I both had the big breakfasts and commented on how much we eat. I have to say that if I pop my clogs overnight, before the next entry, I would like it to be known that I went out on the Full English.               

Back at camp we decided it was time to get in the lake. After a short sunbathe, into the water we went. It was definitely refreshing, but not too bad. Another sun worship on the beach and in for another dip, before a shower and washing some clothes. With the clothes wafting in the slightly more than gentle breeze, we took to the kitchen to work on the blog. Nearing 5pm, Julia had struck up conversation with a Jordanian chef who was cooking for his wife and three kids. He then offers us some of their food and then continues to put more on our plates. This would have been brilliant except that we were meeting Dot and Den for dinner at 6pm. The family were lovely. They had brought their six week old kitten on holiday with them and would pass it around for us to hold. The kitten doesn't wander away, just happy to be close. 

Meal over and it was off to dinner. This time it was Thai/Japanese. Julia couldn't believe I was going to have another full meal. Had prawn cashew nut with rice which was delicious. Dennis had Barry, Andrew and Bryn with him. They have been his companions for a part of the South Island trek and what a nice bunch of guys. Chatted for a couple of hours before returning to camp into a cool breeze. Upon our return, we found the camp was filling up, we now had sites filled around us. Christmas has come early to Tekapo. Back to the kitchen to coffee and blog before hitting the sack.