Alexandra & Butchers Dam

No matter how long we spend in Central Otago, every day we are in awe of the dramatic scenery in this area and as we drove from Omakau to Alexandra in cloud, passing through Chatto Creek with it's historical Tavern and nothing else, we loved the inspiring views of the crusty dry brown hills with the occasional poplars, willows, dotted shrubs and visual "pop outs" of green pivot-irrigated pasture.

We parked down by the river in Alexandra while we had a "catch-up" day - I did the last blog and Len had a fish - didn't actually catch one but at least he saw one! From there we moved on to Molyneux Park, close to the swimming pool, where NZMCA members can park for no charge at present. Quite a lot of other vans already there by the time we arrived.

The next day we played golf at the Alexandra course - 

Nice landscaping by the members. 

18 holes, flat and well looked after being irrigated, with bunkers on the edges of some fairways as well as protecting the greens. 

3 pairs of sturdy legs!

An attractive pond with a couple of sturdy legged white herons nestles near the clubhouse. It was ladies day and we met many friendly ones who made us feel welcome and made sure the facilities were kept open so we could shower, it being a very hot perspiration inducing day.

Peaceful before the "slider" invasion!

After golf we drove south east to Butchers Dam, quite a nice place to stay the night being right by the lake. By nightfall there were probably 10 vehicles there, half being tourists in their various small vehicles or cars which they have somehow found a self contained sticker from somewhere to attach to their boots.  In the morning it was shocking to see what was left behind - a couple of girls who parked their station wagon right on the lakeside in front of us drove off leaving soiled tissues where their vehicle had been and when we started on our walk around the lake there was well soiled toilet paper with excrement on the track.

Yuk!! Something needs to be done about this by the local councils.  If they are going to allow people to park for free they should make sure they put a toilet there.  Better still there should be a charge for these spots - say $5 per vehicle and maybe a meter that gives you a ticket to display to show that you've paid. In the very least these vehicles should carry spades and at least dig themselves a decent hole! It's both disgusting and alarming to see what people are leaving behind in these beautiful areas. I think I'm going to write a letter to the paper although I'm sure I won't be the first.

Is that a bird or a teapot?

Anyway before leaving, under the already hot sun, we did the hour long loop track with information boards across the dam and around to the top of the lake which is no longer used for drinking water. 

No damn luck fishing here for me!

Len had tried some spinning the evening before but again the fish were elusive. There was a lot of weed in the lake which made it not very attractive to swim in.