Winging it - V2

Just a few long, sweeping bends beyond that first splash of roadside colour was Lake Tekapo, gleaming in an amazing azure and we were anticipating our first good look at Mt Cook not far beyond (we’ve passed it a number of times in heavy overcast).

It didn’t disappoint either. Even in the late afternoon there was not a cloud in the sky as we stopped at the head of Lake Pukaki and drank in the magnificent scene. We would have liked to travel further along Route 80, to the foot of the 3,754mtr giant, but the shadows were lengthening and our night in Queenstown beckoned.

As it was, crossing the open basin floor on the ‘Wing, marvelling at the big southern skies and the distant ramparts climbing away in every direction, was simply delightful.