Lake Pukaki, South Island, New Zealand

Lake Pukaki, a glacial lake in New Zealand

Lake Pukaki is possibly one of the most iconic glacier fed lakes in the world. It is blue, 8km (5 miles) wide at its widest point, and 15km long, and is the gateway to Mount Cook National Park in the heart of the Mackenzie District. A quick internet search will reveal that it is framed at the northern end by the Southern Alps, including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aorkai Mount Cook, and ends at Glen Tanner. State Highway 8 runs up the west shore to Mount Cook village (55kms) and Mount Cook National Park,along the Ben More mountain range. At the end of the road you will find the Hooker valley, famous for its walkway to the Hooker Valley lake, the Tasman valley, which in turn leads to the Tasman Lake and Tasman Glacier. And of course Mueller hut and Sefton Bivvy are both accessed from here as well. And if you like cycling, the Alps2Ocean cycle trail starts at Mount Cook village.

But that's not where we are of course. We've left the beaten track and taken the path less travelled as promised. We're on the eastern shore, on the saddle between Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. Braemar Road to be exact. Braemar Road is accessed about 20km up the eastern shore, turning up the saddle between Old Man range on the left (South) and the Gamack Range to the north. Don't go wandering over the fences or through any open gates without checking for military personnel. Braemar Road runs through a live firing range, so it's remote and undisturbed for a reason. Just what we're looking for. You can travel here on foot, car or even bicycle. The eastern shore is part of the Alps2Ocean cycle trail.

So let's turn west and look out over the farmland towards the lake and the Ben More Range. The sky and clouds mirror the lake and snow capped mountains, enhanced by the afternoon sunlight. Directly in front, Dun Finery rises steeply from the shore (550m) to 2500m, with the Kaimakamaka Peaks to our left rising to 2392m and 2431m. Jacks stream runs down alongside them, and at the stony delta on our right, with the trees, is Whale stream. There's no noise or sounds other than the wind rushing through the pine trees. No mobile phone cover. No distractions.

So it's time for me to take my leave. Why don't you stay a while longer and take in the views? Feel the breeze and watch the ripples on the shore. Check out the range of blue shades as the sun shines on the lake between the cloud cover. Take the opportunity to sit and feel the pebbles beneath you, worn smooth after countless years of being rubbed together and polished by the actions of the waves. Time seems to slow down here, nothing is done in a hurry. There is no rush, no pressure, no phone, no internet service. It's just you, with the mountains, the lake, the sky and the clouds wrapped around you, shielding you. Take inspiration from their example of durability, of things being achieved in due course, of being different from others, of being interconnected because of their differences, and the beauty of the individual components, contributing to the whole.

Thank you for joining me today and sharing some of your time. I hope that our walk together has helped, and that you found something to inspire you on your life journey. Travel safe and I look forward to you joining me again. If you know someone who might benefit from todays walk, please share it with them. And if you would like to share your experience today with me. or chat about places that have helped you, I'd be honoured.