LORD OF THE RINGS COUNTRY

We're getting a little road weary and beginning to think of home. A leisurely departing because we faced a coat of ice on everything when we got up this morning. Brrr. We waited for the much-appreciated sun and got some nice coffee and scones and we were set. It was a lovely pastoral drive to Queenstown which is surrounded by 3 stunning mountain ranges, including The Incredibles. Don't you love it? We got around town with a simple map and set out on a walking tour in sunlight. That and a little warmth were so welcome after a few days of gloom. We walked along the Marina and the Queenstown Gardens where we encountered people playing frisbee golf. On to the Skyline Gondola which went, literally, straight up a mountain. I wisely sat facing the mountain, waiting to get the view until we were up top. It's a lovely city on a lake. On the way down, Ron and I both sat facing out, but the opposite seat blocked the downward view so it was perfect for me to look straight out. Okay, that's 3 things I've done on this trip at high altitude. Ron says he's proud of me. From Queenstown, we drove to Glenorchy which sits on beautiful Lake Wakatipu. This area was one of the prime Lord of the Rings locations. We took a walk on the Glenorchy Trail. Backpacking on what they call Tracts is a national passion and an important tourist industry. We saw a preponderance of German backpackers here and in Australia where they also seem to camp a lot. Brave, they are. I admire it but don't want to do it. I will leave it for John and my daughters. The place we're staying, Little Paradise Lodge, was recommended by the Lonely Planet tour book. The place accommodates 11 people and has largely been created by Thomas, its owner. The 5 acre grounds are a garden with brooks, water falls, and so many trees and plants and flowers you can hardly believe it. The thatched-roof buildings contain Thomas' hand-carved furniture. Ron and I went through a gate from the house garden onto a landscaped hillside area with a lovely pond. Suddenly, there came a flurry of wings accompanied by loud and insistent squawking. A large and very fat goose with a wide-open beak was boring down on us with a particular mean look in it's eye and, sure enough, went right for me, grabbing a beakful of my pants leg. No skin, fortunately, but picture me frozen while Ron warded the beast off. It turned to bite him for his trouble, but he batted it away and I hightailed it out of the line of fire. We continued to wander with me carefully close to an exit gate at all times. I let Ron take care of photographing the huge tom turkey and the impressive peacocks on the grounds. We stayed inside the house with a bathroom shared with the owners, the only downside. Our room had hcairs covered iwth hides, a handmade coffee table and huge carved headboard. A very very big fabric wall hanging was boardered with live ivy with more ivy coming out of the cneter. On of the chairs hada vine coming out the back of it too. I found it quite odd, but it certainly did have the desired effect of bringing the outside in. There was nothing on my bed but sheets and a comforter. Good one. You could look around the place for hours, but we went off on an excursion to see the surrounding area which was quite interesting but a little uncomfortable for me since it all took place on dirt roads and, at one point, across a little stream that I am happy to report was shallow. I am not that adventurous in a rented vehicle. Before settling in, we had to go into the very tiny town to seek food and money. No versatel in the town, but the shopkeeper gave us cash back to pay for our room since, unbeknownst, Thomas did not take credit cards and we had little cash. Ah, small town living.