Glorious Colour

Autumn Gold

After a rather dismal summer with no baking hot days (and many more suited in fact to baking rather than the BBQ) and a little more rain than strictly necessary for a drought prone region, April came at last.  The blue sky days materialised and we were determined to make the most of a long weekend after working the Easter break.  Otematata, our destination, is a small town in the Mackenzie country on the banks of one of the many hydro lakes of the region.  It is known as a brown, dry land with a drab pallet but undeniable beauty.  Autumn however is a time of colour and the Poplars shone a resplendent gold, perfectly framed by the ultramarine blue sky with highlights of red provided by the rose hips.

Mackenzie Colour

Of course I had a flick of my rod while Amy snoozed by the river, landing a good brown.  We walked and cycled and come evening retreated to the pub to watch the rugby (cheering the Crusaders of course) and enjoy the true drink of the Southern Man, a handle or two of Speights.

Lonely Road