Notice the word `Wiz’ right in the middle of the town’s name! I had a `wiz’ of a time in that little town, on New Zealand’s south Island.

We didn’t think so at first:

The sad looking house we had booked to stay in for the night, was somewhat of a disappointment. It looked uncared for and didn’t have a welcoming ambience. Added to that there was no linen on the beds and some of us adults had to sleep on bunks.

But it had a lovely lounge, corner kitchen nook and a washing machine. We were so happy to wash our clothes and hang them on the windy-dry out in the barren backyard.

It was late afternoon by the time we found the rented bungalow, but everyone was looking for something fun to do in the town.

So out we went to explore:

Some of us took bikes, and I followed with my camera. We came to what looked like a blocked off area, with a long log across the side of the road.

Then turning right, following the log, we came across an opening, which took us down a steep bank to an interesting nature reserve area below.

Seeing some pathways, the biker were off, happily and soon out of sight. That left us to wonder off on our own little sandy pathway.

It wasn’t long before we came across a stream. And then, can you believe it, we had discovered a river and its many tributaries, right there, next to the town.

Aaaah…man! It was so beautiful down there.

No matter which way I turned there was another scene to capture with my camera.

Gosh Twizel certainly had a secret… a nature reserve hidden below the banks of the town.

It was so peaceful down there, with the river running in and out quietly between uncultivated vegetation and its cay islands.

When our bikers got back to us they told us the place was setup for bike trails. And after that they returned every now and then to check up on me and see what I was up to.

I had a `wiz’ of a time:

I wondered here and there taking photographs. I couldn’t believe it. Around each turn in the river there was another and yet another stunning scene to take a photo of.

I love painting water scenes. So you can understand I was in my element coming across such gorgeous stream and river scenes.

I spent so much time wondering around taking photos, that I became very tired and exhausted. When it was time to go, I practical hobbled all the way back to our rented house. Even so there was a modest smile on my face and a beating thump of joy in my heart that day.

Here are two oil paintings I have done of the place.

By the way, the white in the paintings may look like snow, but it isn’t. It’s white sand and pebbles like you would get in a graveyard. And also white little flowers.

Hope you have enjoyed seeing what Twizel is like! And one day when you go there, you can check up how my photos and oil paintings portrayed it.