Danseys Pass

Today we  travelled from Ranfurly, traversing the beautiful Danseys Pass which is in the Kakanui Mountains , between Central Otago and North Otago, emerging at Duntroon.(elevation 935 metres).
As we left the Maniototo Plains we met a large flock of merinos on the road (less usual these days than in the past) before rising into the pass via the gravel road and stopping awhile at the historic Danseys Hotel at the Kyeburn Diggings.
After lunch at Omarama , we headed about 30 km north towards Twizel and took a detour around the bumpy track that wends its way around Kellands Ponds. They are surrounded with willow, birch and various types of polar which are all gloroiusly golden at this time of year and under these poplars we spied several groups of toadstools (fly agaric) and one  especially large(see extras).
Four nights in a cottage in Twizel and off to visit the folk at Killermont tomorrow.