Reflections and a Wedding

I'm sure you'll agree, the Mackenzie Country holds a special place in many people's hearts. So, it was no surprise when Bernie's daughter Renee and her fiancé, chose to get married in Twizel, a little alpine village in the Mackenzie district. 

However, it was a surprise when they asked me to take their wedding photos.I love taking photos (at an amateur level) but have no experience in wedding photography. I guess they had more confidence in my ability, than I did. 

Driving from Nelson to Twizel took a good chunk of the day and it was early evening when I finally arrived. I headed to Lake Ruataniwha, hoping to get a few sunset photos but there was a slight breeze over the lake which wasn't ideal for reflections. So I drove to Wairepo Arm (beside the Ohau B canal), thinking it might be sheltered.  

 

On the eastern side of Wairepo Arm there didn't appear to be a breeze. The hills were bathed in a soft golden light, which complimented the viper's-bugloss growing along the foothills.

Knowing I only had a small window of time when the light was soft and golden, I rushed to find a spot beside the lake to get some photos. I can see why photographers scope out an area before hand. However, I hadn't had that opportunity so I drove back to SH8, crossed the road and parked beside Kelland Pond. Then walked across to Wairepo Arm (this time I was on the west side). 

I got as close to the lake edge as I could without slipping in! Being a wetland, it was grassy and spongy, making it uneven underfoot. There were a couple of times when I was close to getting wet!

 

In a world where everything is so fast paced (maybe my perception), I treasure moments of solitude in nature. There's no pressure, no comparison, no expectations, no rush ... just time to appreciate one's surroundings.

After awhile I started to feel the affects of being around all the dry grass. My eyes started itching and my eyelids felt like grains of sand were floating around beneath them. 

Years ago,I wouldn't have gone anywhere without anti-histamine tablets. However, nowadays hay fever is a distant memory, so I was surprised when it came back. I was hoping a pharmacy would be open the next day.

Taking photos with itchy eyes might not make for the best wedding captures. 

I could easily have sat there until dark but I didn't have my phone with me and knew Bern would be trying to contact me. Wouldn't it be amazing if somehow you could capture the sounds and smells when you take a photo. Maybe one day, that might happen.

And as I mentioned earlier, the reason for the trip to Twizel was for Renee's wedding. It was a fabulous day and despite my jitters about taking the photos, I really enjoyed it! 

Hiding behind a camera really does have its perks, especially for an introvert like me.

Ant & Renee
'The Happy Couple' 

Little Loch Cameron - Twizel

Loch Cameron is between Twizel and the Pukaki Canal. It can be found down Glen Lyon Road which is a road that runs along the north side of the Twizel township. Six kilometres down the road passed lots of stunning lifestyle properties, is Loch Cameron.

It's a tiny lake, known for good salmon and trout fishing. Children enjoy the popular fishing competitions that are held there.

In the middle of Loch Cameron is an island with a handful of trees. It would make a good place to swim out to (if you weren't scared of eels!).

The reeds and bull rushes around the edge of the loch provide ideal spots for ducks to hide away.

I'm not sure if dogs are allowed at Loch Cameron or not - here are the two signs that were displayed at the entrance.

On still days the reflections around the loch are spectacular - imagine what it might look like in autumn?

Because it's not a very large lake/loch it only took about 20 minutes to walk around the perimeter.

At the end of the loch, I climbed up the bank to see how close the Pukaki Canal was. It's really close with only a narrow road in between.

That's Loch Cameron on the left and the Pukaki Canal to the right.

Although you're not allowed to camp at Loch Cameron, it's a beaut place to stop for a picnic, try your luck at fishing, take a swim or enjoy a scenic walk.

Old Iron Bridge - Twizel

Just south of Twizel, before the salmon farms is a sign with the words, 'Old Iron Bridge'. It's an historic iron bridge which was used to cross over the Ohau River. Before it was constructed people crossed the river using a wire rope and an cage.

There was some concern about the bridge being built, that it may create an opportunity for rabbits to spread to other areas.
However it did go ahead, and in 1890 the bridge was completed (at a cost of 1033 pounds and 7 shillings).

In the 1970s when the Waitaki Hydro scheme was being made and Lake Ruataniwha was formed, State Highway was realigned and the iron bridge was bypassed. A new highway was made over the Ruataniwha dam.

This historic iron bridge has saved many lives - as at times, crossing rivers was dangerous for early travellers. It's the only engineering structure of its type in the Mackenzie Basin and is registered by the NZ Historic Places Trust.

The following photos are to show how mint green the water is. I can imagine how striking it will be in autumn when the willow trees on the lake's edge turn golden.

The photo below was taken standing on the iron bridge, looking out from between the wooden side rails.

This is the information board on the side of the bridge, showing you a photo of the wire rope and cage used for crossing before the bridge was built.

Tragically, back in the 1870s Susan Morrison and her young daughter Hannah drowned while crossing the Ohau River. There's a monument across the road from the iron bridge near the edge of Lake Ruataniwha.

The monument is tucked in among the pine trees above.

 Unfortunately there weren't any flowers about that I could place on their grave.

After I had paid my respects, I crossed back over the road to take one more photo - this was taken standing on the side of State Highway 8, looking down over the iron bridge.