...and Gandalf said...

"We have to go over there, little Hobbit!
Follow me, through all this high green stuff. We will be well hidden.
Past a place with weird creatures.'Till we reach the magic moss place."

Mt. Cook

Today we put on our hiking boots.
To tackle Mt. Cook.It seemed a bit high, so we decided to go for a walk in the Tasman Valley instead, to look at the lower Tasman Glacier.
You can swim in the lake in summer. Really? With icebergs floating in there? Yup.We decided to give that a miss, as it is autumn now.
We opted for another walk, but that's another story. :)

Sunrise over Lake Tekapo

Slightly overcast and chilly morning, with a lovely sunrise.

From Queenstown...

...via Lindi's Pass...(With plenty of mountains and snow.)

... and Lake Pukaki...
...to Lake Tekapo...View from our apartement a short while ago.
Guess what?! We are having a ball! :)

There is snow on the mountains!

The temperature dropped and it rained in the early morning. When I stepped out of the chalet, I smelled snow! And yes, there is snow on the mountain tops.
So I got out the skis! I'm ready! :)

Lake Wakatipu

Still in Queenstown. Had a great drive to Wanaka via the scenic route. Great food, great scenery, great autumn colours. Hmm... better stop here - I'm being very repetitive. Having a fantastic time. :)

From Dunedin to Queenstown

...via the Scottish Highlands, or so it seemed.
Absolutely brilliant autumn weather. Gorgeous colours. Having a marvellous time!

Suberb food everywhere. Tonight's dinner in Queenstown - just fantastic.

Flying

Last year we had a great time flying in a tiny plane with Berry Gnome's nephew. I never posted any pictures. Here is one.
Tonight we shall be flying again. But this time in a 'proper' plane. I may or may not post pictures from our adventures in the next 10 days. Until then, be good! :)

Miner's Lettuce ...

...is coming up everywhere in the garden! I usually let it go to seed at the end of its growing season. Then it pops up with a vengeance as soon as the first good autumn rains hit the soil. It's a pretty plant and delicious in salads (raw) and sautéed leafy veggies.

I love nettles!

Aren't they just beautiful!?
And they are really tasty, too!

Today's lunch - Nettle Omelette:

Heat butter/oil, add some chopped garlic (and onion), bung in washed nettle leaves. Cover with lid until nettles are wilted.
Pour in some beaten eggs, seasoned with salt & pepper. Add chopped parsley, and some grated parmesan. Bung lid back on until the omelette is set.
Slide on to a plate, add a dash of home-made chilli sauce, if so desired. YUM!
Don't be put off by the 'hairy' nettles - they have lost their sting and it's fine to eat them.

Autumn beauties

Every year the same kind of pictures, I know. But aren't they just gorgeous?!

Eat your nettles!

They are good for you.

Grab a handful of stinging nettles (make sure you wear gloves!).
Wash them. I took them off the main stem.

Sauté in butter, garlic and onion. Throw in a potato cut into cubes, together with your nettles. Sweat a bit. Not you. The ingredients in the pan. Then pour in some good stock.

Cover, let simmer away.

Blend with whatever gadget you have handy.

The colour is not as vibrant green as I wanted it. But I blame the potato and cream that I poured in. And I could have put more nettles in, but I was hungry and wanted to get on with it.
If desired, serve with a bit of parmesan. Or a drizzle of good olive oil. Or whatever you desire.
It's delicious! Oh, and the nettles do lose their sting when cooked. :)

Bonsai Egg

The nights are getting pretty cold (6C). During the day it is sunny, but the wind can be unpleasant. Day time temperature is around 16-17C.

The chooks can feel the cold, too. And they are moulting. No pictures of the scraggly beasts. Yet.
No wonder the eggs are getting smaller! (They have also slowed down their egg production.)