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This summer will be different

This time last year, going to the lake was a bit of a challenge. Keeping Tobias cool was an impossible task and any kind of outing required heaps of planning and preparation.

This time last year, Tobias was just three months old. Of course, at three months old, Toby’s naps were still unpredictable so timing our day around them was never easy.

I remember taking a chair to the lake in case we had to feed him. I’d spend the majority of my time stuck in that chair.

Neither myself or Tobias would get much joy from going to the lake. I'd sit and watch everyone else going for a swim and Tobias would mostly want to feed or sleep.

If I managed to dip my toes in the water, Toby’s cries would soon propell me back to my duties as a new mum.

This year, things are very different. In fact, going out with a toddler is pretty fun (I might live to regret this sentence but let’s just go with it for now).

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve spent a lot of time at the lake. Tobias absolutely loves being outside, playing with stones and dipping his chunky little feet into the water.

Of course, the sun is still a challenge but we managed to find a hat that he doesn’t take off every five minutes.

...just another day at the lake.

I don’t think I’ll ever get over just how much stuff we have to bring with us though. Gone are the days where we can just hop in the car and go. We now need a whole plethora of togs, snacks, food, toys, towels, spare change and so much more.

Still, going to the lake this year is pretty exciting. It’s days like these when I feel so lucky to live in Wānaka.

Growing up in London, I never spent time by the mountains.Trips to the seaside were few and far between.

Being able to take Tobias to spectacular spots every single day is something we’ll never take for granted.

But for Tobias, it’s simply another day at the lake.

– By Daisy Watford

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Crimeline

Mike Coutts

Constable, NZPD

Kia ora all. After a run of nice weather the rain has cooled down things slightly just to remind us all that we are still in spring. Whilst it might be a blessing for the gardens and water tanks, the rain has at times caused the roads to become very slippery.

Constable Harbison’s Wānaka “Blast” programme continues to gain momentum. An awesome group of young people have been put through their paces at FIT Collective over the past two Tuesdays. Last week the group also received nutrition advice from Carolyn Cruden to help support them in their fitness journey.

Operation Deterrence continues with a focus on Restraints, Impairment, Distractions and Speed on our roads. We will continue to conduct patrols targeting these driving behaviours. Wednesday saw 14 tickets handed out in a matter of hours for drivers mostly on their phones or not wearing a seatbelt. A word of advice: some hands-free units come at a cheaper price than receiving an infringement.

A search warrant was conducted at a local address and as a result a stolen stand-up paddle board from Queenstown will be returned to its rightful owner.

On Wednesday night an alcohol check point was conducted on Cardrona Valley Road. One driver blew over the legal limit whilst one unlicensed driver was forbidden to drive. There was also a crash in Hawea Flat where the driver swerved to avoid a rabbit and as a result put their vehicle in a big ditch, narrowly missing a tree.

On Saturday police attended two single vehicle crashes. One on the corner of Riverbank and Cardrona Valley road where a streetlight was cleaned up, the other between bridge two and three in the Crown Range. Both occurred as a result of the drivers not adjusting their speeds appropriately to the weather conditions. Thankfully neither driver was seriously hurt, but one will have to explain their actions to the court.

On Sunday we had reports of a motorcycle been ridden around Albert Town in a dangerous manner with the passenger not wearing a helmet. They were spotted by Police a short time later and signalled to pull over, however failed to do so. The bike was found and impounded as a result and the rider has been referred to youth aid.

Ongoing scammers continue to look for opportunities and not always by emails, phone calls or online. The latest scam is a flyer that has been distributed into mailboxes. Whilst it looks pretty legit, the number you call connects you through to another suspicious number. Remember if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Please continue to report this type of behaviour to prevent others falling victim to scams.

On the found property front, several bikes of a variety of shapes and sizes and being stored at the Police station. Please come in if you think one might be yours.

Take care out there and have a great week.

Music… or a quiet cuppa?

In public places where people tend to spend a good deal of time; supermarkets, cafes, libraries, recreation centres, who decides if music should be played, the type of music, and, of particular importance, the volume? My guess is it’s the staff who decide, for the benefit of the staff, not the customers. Sometimes it is management policy based on the assumption that they need music to keep customers happy. But what is the evidence for that assumption?

Thousands of people are hard of hearing. Music that has to be talked over just makes for an unnecessarily unpleasant experience, especially in places that have other background noise.

People with autism spectrum disorders and those recovering from head injuries, even minor ones, find it difficult enough in places where many people are talking at the same time. Adding music to the mix increases anxiety.

And then there are people like me who like low-volume background music but find loud music extremely distracting, off-putting, and even offensive. And yet, judging by prevailing practice, there are also a lot of people who seem to need music as a constant distraction, from what, I don’t know.

I’ve never been asked if I’d like some music with my cuppa. But I find the notion appealing.

Christopher Horan

Lake Hawea

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