EC-Rider Travels

We woke up to a bit of a grey day which was a little disappointing in this beautiful place, and particularly as we were to go to Lake Heron for lunch which has been described to me, by so many, as the most beautiful place in the world. It was about an hour and a half from Bob and Anne, the last 45 minutes or so up a shingle track. There is nothing worse than people going on and on about how wonderful a place is, as you build up such high expectations, you are invariably disappointed – but not this time. It more than lived up to everything everyone had said and really is beyond stunning, even on a less than perfect day.

Lake Heron is the home of Bob and Anne’s eldest son Philip (or Flip as we always thought he was called and his brother Bean!). Philip is married to lovely Anne who gave us the most delicious lunch which we shared with the three guys helping Philip with the sheep … my goodness they ate a lot and Anne does this for them every day. The house, as with almost all NZ houses, is single storey but so pretty with the most gorgeous garden with a pond full of ducks (my favourite) and then the indescribably beautiful Lake Heron surrounded by mountains.

Completely lovely, but a very, very long way from anywhere. The children’s journey to school was over an hour there and back every day.

Philip and Anne were both lovely and Philip remembered me taking him to dinner in London in an Argentinian restaurant in 1987, which was apparently great fun. Needless to say this is in my blank phase so I had not recollection at all, which we laughed about and decided the only thing to do, was to do it again! He and Anne had to go to a Christmas party so we headed back soon after lunch. Still struggling to think it is Christmas – there are almost no decorations / music / trees anywhere – very strange.

When we returned, the weather had perked up and I went on the most lovely walk with my talking book. Heaven!