Lake Ellesmere and Leeston

We're staying at Lake Ellesmere just out from Leeston, south of Christchurch. With a population of about 1800, Leeston is the main town in the Ellesmere area. Walking up the main street, we came across three churches. Set in beautiful grounds, this one is St David's Union Parish.

The Ellesmere RSA Clubrooms. Someone arrived to remove these crosses on the right shortly after I'd taken the photo. I assume they'd been put there especially for ANZAC Day celebrations.

Down one of the side streets, we found this beautiful hotel—the Crate & Barrel. 

There was no telephone in this telephone box out front—I checked! It's purely for decoration, but I thought it looked rather cool.

More sights in the main street of Leeston.

This stream came down the side of one street, turned at the corner and then ran down the main street. To get to their homes, people had to drive or walk over bridges.

A couple of lovely water features: a fountain in the foreground and behind it a model rig (The Millennium Water Feature) symbolising early well sinking. The sign says it was patented in 1882 

Another lovely old church set in attractive grounds. This one is St John the Evangelist Church—Ellesmere Anglican Parish.

And lastly, a much larger church at the south end of town. Also called St John the Evangelist, but this one is the Catholic Parish.

On our second day, neighbours arrived. A colourful truck towing a trailer, and two older buses, all full of character and personality. There's plenty of space for everyone here at Lake Ellesmere.

I recognise the big red bus from the Gypsy Fair when we were in Gore.

 That night, the sun turned on a stunning display as it was setting. 

On the other side of the park in another part of the lake, soft pink and blue reflections.

Back to the sunny side. The sky was turning from different shades of creamy yellow and gold . . .

. . . to pinks and oranges . . .

 . . . and then bright orange.  Just beautiful!

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Gypsy Fair Vehicles

Colour—Creativity—Character. The Gypsy Fair vehicles deliver on all these attributes. While visiting relatives in Gore, we noticed the Gypsy Fair was in town and stopped by to have a look.

This musician was really good! He was well set up and provided a great atmosphere for the fair.

This was the back of his wagon. 

Their vehicles are all so bright and colourful, with interesting designs.

Refreshments!

They even provided a cheerful place to sit and drink your coffee.

Check out that chimney!

Some of the items available for sale included these colourful bags. Yes, nothing dull and boring here! Other offerings included tie dyed items, a shooting gallery, and face painting for the kids.

This pooch was lying on the dashboard of a big bus, soaking up the sun . . .

. . . and his mate was snuggled into what looked like a cosy blanket.

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Ealing NZMCA

Ealing NZMCA Park is just off Highway 1 south of Ashburton, and not far from Geraldine. Another spacious grassy area, but no facilities other than clothes lines.

Between the highway and the park is a railway line.

And just before you take this right turn corner towards Ealing NZMCA Park, there's a glimpse of snow on the mountains in the distance. It was cold last night!

At the next corner, a tree has been planted as a memorial to a local hero—a 24-year-old Lancaster bomber pilot who died over Germany during World War II.

The entrance.

This building on the property that acts as a common room and a place to gather indoors was once a church. And yes, that's a gravestone to the left of the building.

Inside, you can see the built-in lectern in the corner.

This wonderful yellow bus caught my eye at Ealing. The next day we met the owners: Ruth & Nev.

As you know, we travel with Lucy. These caravanners had three small kittens and a bird. It's the first time I've seen anyone travelling with a bird.

Just over the fence, new neighbours.

And nearby, a paddock with a few sheep in it. These ones had plenty of wool on them—they looked a bit overdue for a shear! In spite of seeing sheep here and there, there seem to be a lot of dairy units around this region.

There we are! Towards the left . . . and Dave's off chatting to the man from the motorhome next door.

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