Mountains, Lakes, and a Sheep Rustler

There is plenty to see on our South Island trip, and we are slowly moving on.  The scenery down here in the South Island can only be described as majestic, with the Southern Alps thrusting up like a backbone, down the length of this island.  So what have we been doing?  We spent a couple of  days in Fairlie, home to the famous Fairlie pies.  Yes I know, our holiday does seem to focus a lot on food.  But that’s half the fun of being on holiday, isn’t it.

We knew the pies were popular but I couldn't believe my eyes.  Here it was, mid afternoon on a Sunday, and queues of people went waiting to get into this shop and buy their pies.   Peeping inside the door and there must have been another 30 queuing inside the shop.  Opening  as a tiny family business in 2010, this business has grown to be one of the best known and most awarded pie-shops in the country – Fairlie Bakehouse.  After years of working in high-end hospitality, trained chef and owner Franz Lieber set out to create a retirement job for himself. He never imagined he’d be producing around 2,500 pies a day and end up working with a team of fifty.  We bought four pies to take away the following morning, one each for lunch, and two to freeze for a future meal.

The famous Fairlie Pies

Fairlie is part of the Mackenzie District, named after Scotsman James Mackenzie, who came to New Zealand seeking a better life in the 1850. After working as a shepherd, he took up a lease of land in Southland, and the lease required him to stock the land with sheep.  James Mackenzie used his knowledge of a mountain pass known only to the local Maoris to spirit away 1000 sheep in the dead of night from a station near Timaru.  Soon caught, he managed to escape and his theft took on a degree of notoriety because he had stolen the sheep from one of the wealthiest settler families in Canterbury.  He was finally caught, convicted and sentenced, recommended for a pardon, and sailed away from New Zealand shores.  His ability with his dogs was highly admired and the statue in town pays tribute to James Mackenzie and his dogs who pulled off the daring sheep rustling over the mountain pass.  Most view him as a folk hero, rather than a dastardly sheep thief.

James Mackenzie and his sheepdog

The following day our first stop on the journey was the quaint little settlement of Burkes Pass, named after Michael John Burke, who discovered the passageway leading into the Mackenzie Country in 1855. This was an alternative route to the Mackenzie Pass which  James Mackenzie, had used to take his sheep into the Otago goldfields.

The historic village of Burkes Pass is home to Three Creeks Shop, an eclectic collection of old buildings, old cars, memorabilia everywhere, and a tiny coffee cart.   Everyone seems to break their journey here, and its easy to seem why.  The place looks so fascinating, just like stepping back in time.  We had a good look around at the interesting old buildings,  inside the general store, and bought a coffee each to go. 

Interesting old shops at Burkes Pass

Lake Tekapo was our stop for the next two nights, in a camp surrounded by pine trees and on the edge of the lake.  A very pretty place indeed.

Staying at Lake Tekapo

Gemma was very interested in the duck family waddling around outside.  Why oh why isn't she allowed outside to chase them, she is wondering?

Look at those big birdies, Mum

There is nothing prettier than the historic Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake side, built of stone and oak in 1935.  Sadly the church is not now open to visitors, which is a shame, but the grounds are open.  There was a wedding taking place, such a picturesque place to get married.

Church of the Good Shepherd

This is a lovely view from the lake shore by the church, looking out to Mt Cook.  When visitors were allowed inside the church, this is the view which would be framed by the church window, making such a pretty picture.

Mt Cook, view over Lake Tekapo

With all this moving around, and sightseeing, I haven't been doing too much handwork.. A little on my stitchery project, but not enough for a photo.  My navy knitting is slowly growing I’m pleased to say. Not too bad, as I had to undo it all recently.  With hot days, and such beautiful scenery out of the car windows as we drive along, I haven't been doing a lot of knitting in the car.   Every little bit helps, doesn't it.

It’s growing slowly