Queens Birthday Weekend

What a fabulous weekend it was, a bit of rain on Saturday but brilliant sunshine and warmth on Sunday and Monday! Unfortunately I was stuck in bed with a bout of the bot and did not venture out for 3 whole days.......so can only tell what has happened from others.

The bestest biggest news of the weekend is that our very own Irene Barnes from Manapouri received a Queens Service Medal, what a well deserved honour this is for Irene. She has worked tirelessly in the Manapouri and Te Anau community for nearly 50 years!!

Several events happened this weekend to tantalise the locals and visitors with the first being our annual Friends of the Library book sale, this gets bigger and better every year.

An ACDC tribute band played at the club and from what I hear, once they eventually got on stage, they were brilliant.

And last but definitely not least was the Te Anau School Polar Plunge. This was the Year 6's big chance to make big bucks for their camp at the end of the year but this didn't come easily with all students (and teachers ..............AND PRINCIPALS!) jumping in the lake. To be fair, the day was warm and the water was at least 1 degree warmer than normal so it did bring out a few extras that wouldn't have normally taken the plunge! One notable resident - Mr Willett strapped a hot water bottle to his best bits in the hope that he would be a little warmer than everyone else - I don't THINK so RAY!! Jealous I wasn't there to join in the fun - NOT!!

We are waiting for winter to happen but so far so good, my rhubarb has decided to sprout again and still have strawberries ripening in the garden - who knows, it may not happen!

Te Anau Community - Reaching out when needed

I started this blog initially to speak out about all the exciting activities one can do in Te Anau, to help spread the fact that we are a destination that tourists would love to come to.............but.........

Over the past couple of weeks I have experienced the 'other' side of our wonderful town Te Anau that has nothing to do with tourism. We are an amazing community and our local people are the heart and soul of this town. Two very well known local ladies (whom, incidentally, were friends) have recently died, everyone has sprung into action, there's practical and emotional support from every network possible.

Here are a few examples:

• Sheets kindly donated to the families from our local laundry - these are to put on the bed, take off, throw them in a bag and let someone clean them once the family has gone
  
• There's food for Africa from neighbours, friends, the home help, the Mayor, some from people the family don't even know!
  
• The next door neighbour gave up their crib (batch) for the family to use for as long as needed.
  
• A doctor (whom was away at the time of the patient's passing) visited the family the following week
  
  

So....if you are thinking about moving somewhere where you know you will be accepted as part of a loving community of approximately 3000 , and an amazing support network......... then Te Anau is the place for you.

Spring is Here in Te Anau!

I woke up a couple of mornings ago and thought "Is this going to be the day?" The fog was drifting over Mt Luxmoor and the lake with a few glimpses of blue hovering down the south fiord and half way up the Murchisons....by the afternoon it just may happen.......and it did.......the photos give it away but my bright yellow daffodils have opened. The jonquils have been around for over a month now but this is really exciting.

There are a few exciting things going on in Te Anau at the moment.

1. Our new medical centre is built and now fast on track for its opening next month.

2. The 2010 StabiCraft Yamaha Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic committee is busy working hard on this year's event at Labour Weekend...so anyone thinking of coming, book now, it looks to be an even bigger event than last year with some amazing prizes including...a StabiCraft boat! http://www.teanauevents.co.nz/ for further information.

3. Anchorage Motel has been nominated for this year's NZ Tourism Awards - congrats to them for being nominated - this is HUGE!

4. The Te Anau harness racing will be held this year on Saturday 15 January so keep this date in mind also....further info at http://www.teanauevents.co.nz/

This is only a token of what is happening in Te Anau. Check out my About Te Anau facebook page for a list of events or go to the Fiordland Advocate http://www.fiordlandadvocate.co.nz/

Manapouri

Manapouri

The small township of Manapouri is situated 20km south of Te Anau and nestles itself alongside the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri.

Manapouri hosts a range of services which include a garage selling fuel, swimming pool, library, galleries, cafes, shops, bars and even a resident hairdresser. As well as a large array of accommodation,t here are several tourist excursions based here to transport people all over the lake and to our famous Doubtful Sound.

Manapouri is mostlyknown for Frasers Beach and hugely popular in the summer months. It stretches for approximately one kilometre with families swimming, fishing, boating and waterskiing, walking or just relaxing overlooking the glistening Lake Manapouri and the glorious mountains beyond.

Day walks available close by are the Fraser's Beach Reserve walkways, Circle Track, the Hope Arm Track and the Shallow Bay portion of the Kepler Track.

Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri with its 33 islands, is one of New Zealand's most beautiful with its backdrop made up of glacial mountains, rainforests and crystal blue skies. It is the 5th largest lake in New Zealand with 190km of shoreline and has four arms which are up to 10km long. It is also the second deepest lake at a maximum of 440 metres.

The Maori name for Lake Manapouri is 'sorrowful heart' though this name is misapplied due to an early cartographical error, the real Lake Manapouri was North Mavora Lake which lies further east. Local Maori called Lake Manapouri 'Moturau' which means 'many islands.' Before 'Motorau' the ancient Maori name was Roto-ua which means 'the rainy lake'.

There are a number of secluded bays and coves on Lake Manapouri which makes it probably the best boating lake in New Zealand.

Is Spring Coming to Te Anau???

Today is Saturday 17 July and look at what I have found in my garden! I guess this must mean that spring is coming or maybe its here!

Because today is Saturday and the weather was fantastic, everyone was out in their gardens pruning the roses, mulching the ground and having a general tidy up.

Everyone I have spoken to on my walk today remarked on how little snow was on the tops because of the warmth of the sun in the last few weeks (which is a shame for Queenstown but great news for us!)

The school holidays have just finished and everyone will be going home to great memories of Te Anau and our delicious spring weather!

Please note the soil in my garden - it is DRY! It has been many weeks since we have seen the rain. We just need a bit of rain for the garden, the lake and the waterfalls in Fiordland - then everyone will be happy!

Te Anau Golf Club

Yes I play golf, I play 9 holes and rather badly but.....its a great walk on one of New Zealand's most beautiful. Imagine teeing off with Lake Te Anau and the Murchison Mountains as a backdrop.............

After your game you may reward yourself with a drink from the bar at Number 19 which, incidentally, has one of the best views in the world....

Green fees are only $60 and if you are an affiliated member only $30. Golf carts, clubs and trundlers are also available so make sure you visit when in Te Anau next!

Further information available from their website http://www.teanaugolf.co.nz/

Cruise Te Anau

Last summer I took a 3 hour cruise on Lake Te Anau with Peter Kirker on the 'Carousel.' On board were four others including 2 children whom were spending a couple of days in Te Anau, taking time out after the fast pace of Queenstown.

It was a warm summer afternoon and we cruised slowly up the lake to the dome islands at the head of the South Fiord, where we took a short easy walk into the Hidden Lakes. Peter guided us on the walk explaining all the different plants and birdlife (amongst other things) that we found on the way. Once arriving at the lake we saw trout jumping making rings in the still, calm waters.

Back at the boat we enjoyed a cuppa and a muffin whilst watching the kids jump into the lake before heading home. I loved this trip, not only a fabulous afternoon in the sun but I learnt a lot and met some incredible people.

This trip is priced at only $80 per adult and only $20 per child!

Other excursions are overnight cruises, weddings, private charters, flight options and the Milford and Kepler track connections.

Contact Peter at http://www.cruiseteanau.co.nz/