Page 4 Advertisements Column 4

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 October 1926, Page 4

(In which the Professor deals, among other things, with the art of skating.) i "Tomorrow," droned somebody from the depths of a smoke-room chair, "wo will make a trip to the Blue Lakes." Up at the Mount Cook "Hermitage" everybody wants to be up and doing. When you wake in the morning, and, through your window, sec the warm sun glittering on beautiful snow; when you re-experience the glow of happiness and energy, which is shared by everybody who goes joy-hunting "thousands of feet above" worry-level," you don't want to lie in bed. Up you get. Down you go—to the sort of breakfast which has made, the Hermitage-chef famous: Needless lo sav that I, Professor Augustus Pep, filled wiFli breakfast and beautiful thoughts,, was ready : to join the party for the Blue Lakes'.'-.i "■How do we get there?" I asked a guide. "Ponies," ho answered. "Better go round to tho equipment room and get boots, puttees, and skates." So I joined tho laughing crowd, who wero trying o<i the stout, non-skid, and wondrous dry footgear which iho Hermitage people provide. I encased my pedal extremities I wrapped my shapely calves in about-half a mile of puttee. Thon a guide—in a hat go* disreputable as to bo positively romantic—measured mo for skates. I remarked that it would bo quite easy for mo to sit down on tho ico of tho Blue Lakes without fitting any special devices for the purpose. But tho guide ignored my remark. Round at the front of the "Hermitage" wo found a string of ponies—ready saddled. lam no horseman; but riding the white steed which tho gods allotted to me was as easy as sitting in an armchair. Those ponies arc wonderfully sure-footed, wonderfully patient and wonderfully comfortable. So wo started out in the brilliant sunshine —warm and thrilled. The cavalcade was led by a guide (ice-axe, rope pack-horse, and everything complete!) It would take a Zane Grey to describe that ride. Imagine towering mountains, snow-elad, magnificent. Imagine sconcry which awes the heart to reverence and tho tongue to silence. Hills, valleys, and mist-filled ravines. Now and again the roar of a distant avalanche— And then—the Blue Lakes —a polished ballroom floor of solid ice, sparkling blue and gold 'neatli (ho sun. Tho guides made tea. produced sandwiches. Wo screwed on tho skates, and then we sidled, like crabs, on to the ice. In five minutes wo had all forgoltcn our ages, our dignity, and our importance. " Wo slipped, slithered, screamed a—nd sat. We laughed, yodelled, and yelled. Then--gradually—wo found ourselves ablo to skate. To glide over linn ice —your blood tingling in your veins—can you tell me. a greater experience? And then—homo to the Hcrmitago just as tho sun is going down in a blaze of glory behind God's gigantic monuments. Why don't you people who sit there reading this article como up and join us? What sort of person are you that can resist the call of Aprangi? It is absurd lo say that you can't afford it! Why, £27 will give you two perfect weeks up here, and pay travelling expenses to and from your home! Get. tho Mount Cook Motor Co. Ltd. (Strathallan Stiieef, Timaru), Thos. Cook and Son, or tho Government Tourist Bureaux lo send you the booklet giving all the information you want You don't know what vou're missing! fib be continued.)