We continued to the wharf where we boarded our boat, the TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 steamship. We got a free facial (it was so steamy) by walking by the steam engine. We went the rear of the ship to enjoy the fresh air on Lake Wakatipu. We saw paragliding, jet skiing, water bikes, and swimmers as we left the dock. The weather was picture-perfect.
I almost hated getting off the boat, but we had other events. About an hour later, as we approached Walter Peak High Country Farm (sheep), we saw the servers waving enthusiastically to us. We disembarked and went to the restaurant. We sat outside under a huge umbrella. We ordered our drinks then descended upon the buffet. The grilled meat smelled heavenly. Not a good place to be a vegetarian. My highlight was the Sticky Date Pudding, which was highly recommended by Harry. It was divine.
After lunch, we walked to the sheep herding and shearing demonstration area. They have a lovely amphitheater built next a hillside where the sheep graze. Ian demonstrated to us how you can rub the sheared wool between your hands and get lanolin from it. I couldn't partake, as I'm mildly allergic to lanolin.
The young man doing the demo said that we could forget his name (I have), but it was more important to remember his partner's name, Mia. She's a 9 year-old short-haired border collie. It takes 3 years and thousands of dollars to train the dogs.
He demonstrated shearing a 150-pound female sheep. She didn't seem too happy about the process. In the end, she had a few nicks from the shears. But she weighed 3-4 kilos lighter.
Mia was so anxious to herd the sheep in a nearby pen. The shearer released the sheep, then Mia. Only when he gave her the command, she bolted up the hill, after the sheep. It was amazing to watch how she controlled them (video to follow later).
We walked back down to the dock, where our boat was waiting to chug back to town.
Denise and I walked to the bottle store (liquor store). I finally got the wine I wanted last night. I picked up a split of Lindauer sparkling wine and a Brancott Estate chardonnay. They were perfect for sipping on my balcony, overlooking the lake.
We walked up the hill to the hotel. I took a nap, then opened the sparkling wine. Life is good!
We had dinner in the hotel restaurant, Hilary's. We were the only party in the restaurant. Ian passed around some actual sheep shears from his farm.
I rolled myself back to my room and drank my chardonnay while watching the sunset over the mountains. I approve of Queenstown.
Photos: Views from my room
No comments:
Post a Comment