The Three Wise Sisters

“I’m smiling because we’re sisters. I’m laughing because there’s nothing you can do about it.”
—Anonymous

Set loose somewhere in the South Island, three sisters do Hanmer.

~*~

The next day we explored Hanmer’s boutique shops, its cafes and its forest walks.

~*~

Information about the forest parks around Hanmer indicate that hills and valleys once covered in tussock, are now host to forests of mature exotic trees planted in the early 20th century – cypress, firs, larches, beeches, birches and cedars. In places the air was filled with bird song – mainly korimako / bellbird sounding out as loud as church bells.

The autumn tones certainly upped the attraction factor of a walk along one of the many forest walking / cycling tracks available for a Hanmer Springs stroll or ride.

Situated as it is on the Hanmer fault, thin-skinned Hanmer Springs resort’s claim to fame is its hot springs: ‘When the springs were first discovered, the hot water rose to the surface under artesian pressure. Today, the natural up flow of heated water has diminished and the water is pumped from a bore that was drilled into greywacke rock in 1975 (original drilling was 1911).’

However, these three sisters opted not to test said waters; you could say that for us, the attraction of water is somewhat diminished when it comes without the addition of whisky or gin.

Not really – truer to say we were more taken by the cyprus trees than the springs and were happy to wave any notion of a tepid soak. Ending the day under the friendly fire of sisterly banter, entered into over a beverage in front of the quaint intricacies of Midsomer Murders (courtesy of a sister’s downloads) was far more to our liking.

~*~

Whenever we three sisters get together, always at the back of our minds is our other sister who lives in Australia. While in Hanmer she was following our ventures via internet and sent us a photo to say she was thinking of us … which included the message: ‘Bugger Hanmer Springs. I’m having too much fun at home cooking and cleaning.’ (We didn’t believe her. But we love the costume and the yellow, rubber-gloved Perth salute!)

~*~