That evening having eaten fish and chips from the local township (very nice but a very unhealthy food day) We set off for a walk along the lake side. ....It has become a common thing for people to leave 'rock sculptures' beside roads and anywhere really where there are pebbles ... At least they are easily knocked down I guess .... I believe these sort of things originate from places like Nepal etc ..... 
McD leaves me to join the bus load of Japanese tourists ... All very friendly all said hello 
By the time we have gotten through Christchurch proper and found the state highway 1 the rain was coming down in sheets ...But we were in good time despite a fairly long car ride ahead of us to our intended stop over at lake Tekapo... After a while of driving we reached Rakia ... Still raining, but there is a nice cafe there and a giant trout statue ... I've posted the trout picture before ...The Ice cold rain ensure we did a quick sprint to the cafe only this time....
We're losing a lot of the Kiwi style cafe's ... Food is often now pre-packaged and the same plastic crap where-ever you go ... I'm pleased to say this is less of a problem in the South island and we treated ourself to some wonderful pies and sausages stuffed with Potato mash ... Not diet food but man it tasted damned good ....
Then another drive to Ashburton ... A town ship with a good tourist advice centre... A lovely woman rang around for us as we had no accommodation for the night in Tekapo ... But she found a place for us on the side of the Lake. The unit having a complete view across the lake and to the mountains north of it ....
Another drive south and then we turned inland meandering to the lake through another township called Geraldine....A pretty place ...We could live here I mentioned to McD as we drove through missing the turnoff ......
The weather was improving as we drove along ... We stopped at a vantage point to look across a valley ..
And then as McD drove I took some shots from the car as we gained height .....
The first 'dustings' of snow had fallen on the mountain tops the night before .... 
And then we arrived - Our first glimpse of Lake Tekapo - The amazing colour is from the glacial flour (Ground rock) thats brought down from the mountains ...... 
Two Most distinctive mad made features of the lake 1st Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepard
The Hitchhikers guide to the Universe tells us this was built in 1935 to the glory of God as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. Congregations of the three main faiths worship regularly in the Church, which offers awe inspiring views of the lake and mountains through the altar window.
We are not sure what the woman in the picture was doing ...She suddenly appeared from the bottom of the picture adjusting her garments ....!! I'll say no more ......
But is there a church with a better view anywhere ?? Let me know :O)
