Fallen cabbage tree leaves, long grass, flowers that need dead-heading, and ripening tomatoes, courgettes growing, beans beans beans… I was into the garden almost before I’d unpacked. Today, I feel flat and tired as I fall back into the old routines. There’s a lot to do. Being on holiday forces you to stop. I miss it!

A beautiful day in Wānaka and we’re leaving! There is time for breakfast on the patio, but no sign of rabbits for the first of the month. Perhaps they are put off by the sprinkler.

It is a beautiful day. The lake is blue and glistening in the sun. Lots of people were picnicking and swimming this afternoon. Now I am on my patio enjoying the warm air and the view down to the lake as I read my book and snack on cherries.

It was a day out today to Arrowtown, Queenstown and Cardrona.

We were back in time to watch the yacht race held each Thursday, weather permitting, on Lake Wānaka. I could follow it from my patio with binoculars as the boats appeared between gaps in the trees.

It’s a warm evening. I can hear the ‘pock’ of tennis balls on the court below.

Actually, I’m attempting a gallery of postcards today as I couldn’t choose just one. After a showery start (improved by scones with morning coffee) the weather cleared. I beat all previous personal records by walking 22,730 steps from Edgewater to Beacon Point and back.

At times, where there was little shade, I felt like that turtle on the nature programme walking purposefully across the desert. A smoothie at Scroggin cafe gave me the energy for the last push home along the lake where people were sunbathing and swimming in their thong bikinis. I had a cool shower and washed my sweaty clothes.

I’m having a day on the couch. The door is open letting in a soft breeze, the sound of wind in the poplars and the sight of waves on the lake. I’m listening to my “Make me Smile” playlist. Fat Bottomed Girls* by Queen is coming up, appropriate for a person on the couch all day. I’ve walked over 11,000 steps in the last two days however. I’m reading the NZ Gardener, getting inspiration for gardening when I get home.

• In NZ Gardener: Rugosa Roses have big hips that look fabulous in autumn.

A friend has requested digital postcards of my holiday. The real thing is becoming impractical as people increasingly communicate digitally and postal services are cut.

Here’s the first, taken as I walked along the lakefront today.

Uploading images is proving problematic as I try to post from Wānaka on my phone or iPad. I will try shorter posts with one image – micro blogging. Here’s the view from my door here…no, that didn’t work. Imagine grass, trees and lake! I have sent a request for more storage on the site. Sorry to disappoint.

I have been whisked away by my brother and sister-in-law to Wānaka for a week, while my sister and family look after Mum.

I shared the back seat with Stuart the Minion and endured – oops, enjoyed – my brother’s playlist.

We had lunch at Woodbury and there was a classic car meet at the domain. I particularly liked a blue Chrysler with a dickie seat.

I paid my respects to relatives in the nearby cemetery.

Now we have arrived to the Central Otago scent of warm summer grass and tussock – and a rabbit on the lawn.