21 May Lake Tekapo

NZMCA Park Over

We drove to Lake Tekapo because this was another place we had not properly stayed at. It was a very frosty start but luckily we had planned ahead and parked where the sunshine could get to our solar panels early. Damn! We forgot to leave the water-heater on and overnight the water pump froze-up. It was a proper frost of about -6C...

Frost on some driftwood nearby

The surrounding area was so beautiful, it was difficult to believe this campsite was another freebie thanks to NZMCA. No facilities of couse, but the township just a short bike ride away along the lake edge track and past the famous lonely church.

Lake side view from the camp

Dizzy in the dog park - conveniently right next to the camping-ground

We had to put wait to run the water until it had defrosted - with the help of the generator running the electric fan-heater into the cupboard.  We learn about these types of tricks as we go along - next time, if there's going to be a frost. leave the little boiler on! I was desperate for a cuppa!

one of the many poison signs around the lakeside and camp...

The sun was low but it was a beautiful day over the lake. Dizzy and I investigated and found the poison Pindone was all around the forest...but in bait stations that were unusually really well-protected and with adequate signage (although still none in any other languages).

Poison Bait stations along the tracks that criss-cross the lakeside forests...

Not ideal, but much safer than the aerial poison we have seen elsewhere in South Island. We moved on further North that day  - heading home via the ferry and to warmer climes. Meanwhile, we were planning what we need for our next Wintertime trip - certainly another heater and another solar panel for when we are 'off grid' for more than a couple of days...