Hills Golf & Cromwell

After the cup of tea in bed, served by Sue, and Jenny & Derek's cooked breakfast (talk about being spoilt!) we were ready to drive not far down the road to the NZPGA Tournament at the Michael Hills Course. Lots of cars and people already there but the course is very well designed for spectators with all its mounds and hills close to the fairways and greens making it easy to get a good view. It's certainly a fantastic setting and very interesting to walk around with not only the views but with all the strategically placed scuptures.

A wolf escapes at the 18th!

Two golfers half a century apart!

We mostly followed Lydia Ko around as she was an amateur guest player over the weekend and an amazingly relaxed player to watch. It would be very nice to even slightly emulate her style! Once she had finished on the 18th, about 5.00pm we left the course and drove towards Clyde through the Kawarau Gorge, stopping for the night at a little parking area in the trees opposite the Roaring Meg Power Station. There was a little stream close by which means there were prolific sandflies, just about the worst we have seen anywhere. They line up at the door ready to push their way in as soon as it is opened and we spent the evening killing a biting one every 30 secs whilst we played our beloved scrabble. At least we must have done a good job as there were no further bites through the night.

Roaring Meg hydro station (built in 1934)

On the way to Cromwell we stopped at the very big fruit shop, where we had also been with Jenny and Derek, to stock up on lots of lovely fresh apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums and apples. They also have little green things called kiwi berries there which apparently come from Te Puke but we have never seen them before. If they had looked more appetising and were less expensive we might have bought some to try - maybe next time just so we can report back! The shop is a favourite place for all the tourist buses as well so you have to be quick if one pulls in at the same time as you.
Tonight we are parked at the Cromwell Golf Club where we have just played 18 holes trying to emulate the Professionals we watched all yesterday but I guess it's just going to take just a little more practice which of course we don't ever do!