Just had a couple of days away from Wanaka on the strength of a forecast for gale west winds and a solid swell so headed down on Friday arvo and met up with a few of the other sailors from the Queenstown/Dunedin area. There isn't many of us. It was looking quite light on arrival at Colac Bay but my luck was in and the wind filled in nicely to about 25 to 30 knots. This is a French guy called Sev doing some great down the line waves sailing.
Next day dawned proper windy with rain in the slightly dismal little town that is Riverton. After a Friday night in the Globe pub at which we were the only patrons attention turned to the spot known as Monkey Island. The sun came out, the wind blew and the waves rolled in. Great coastal sailing. Lots of jumps and some super fun backside waves sailing. Took a couple of beatings and swims back in to the beach. Hit a seal with my fin going flat out. He looked pretty pissed off poor thing. No sign of the the other local swimming grey bitey wildlife thankfully.
Lovely skies down there.

Softie hands taking a beating on the rubberman.
Here is Louie in his new flax bed.
Some lovely Autumnal colours around Wanaka at the moment. Still warm too. Walking along the new track along the Clutha and a picture from the Outlet track