On my way to Lake Pukaki, I stopped for a breather at Lake Tekapo. This is the classic view from the little Church of the Good Shepherd.
Thousands of photos have been taken of this church, it has an almost magnetic attractiveness for people of all cultures, the sense of shelter and comfort in an indifferent universe.
A little way from the church is the sheepdog statue, a tribute to the animal that was so instrumental in farming this huge, empty landscape. The use of dogs to control sheep was brought from Scotland and Northern England by the early shepherds who settled in the area, and dogs are still used extensively throughout the NZ high country. Many of the place-names of the Mackenzie Country (named after a notorious 19th c. sheep-rustler) have Scottish origins. Hence Braemar, where I stayed. The nearby mountain range is called the Ben Ohau, a nice mashup of Scots and Maori.
And here's beautiful Braemar, looking across Lake Pukaki to the Ben Ohau range. Just gorgeous.
So still! Had a swim, delicious.
Looking up toward the head of the lake. All this area is old glacial country, the lake was carved out many eons ago by the Tasman Glacier.
The morning view from Hilltop Cottage, where I stayed. The house to the left is Pine Cottage, and there is also accomodation in the old shearers' quarters. All are self-contained, with cooking facilities. Hilltop had a good view of Mount Cook/Aoraki, which I wasn't expecting. It really is a good getaway, quite a world of its' own.
Tomorrow: Sheeeeep!
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