Know I'm a little bit biased about the Wakatipu Basin, but it is really amazing living here.
Everyone is so good at getting involved in things that benefit the whole community.
Thursday's Trailblazer to raise funds for the new cycleway clashed with two other big events - the breast cancer fundraiser at Millbrook and the Grumpy Old Women play in Arrowtown.
But all of them drew big crowds and everyone enjoyed themselves hugely, catching up with all the people they love seeing but never see enough of, in our busy old world.
I've heard so many people raving about marvellous Sylvia Gazzard, especially naughty boys from her Form 2 classes who learnt to behave rather than risk her worst punishment - a big smoochy kiss - so it was a real treat meeting her on the Trailblazer track, and getting some of her book recommendations.
I was booked in for the walking section, but my dear old Dad decided to do the run.
While all the others running wore lightweight, hi-tech, comfortable, attractive, modern gear, he didn't.
With his skinny old British white legs and long socks and shorts pulled as agonisingly high as he could get them, he looked more like a lunatic escaping the guards at the home for the perpetually bewildered rather than any sort of athlete.
But he finished, and I am pretty proud of him, as long as he promises never to run in public again.
And I don't want to boast, but I did run through the finishing gate ahead of Ali Evers-Swindell (Photo page 7).
She only married that sporty name - I have running genes.
She is very bitter about it.
Kaye Parker was euphoric as she announced that the event had raised the magnificent sum of $95,000, but then to put the cherry on the cake, or to put an even bigger cake on the cake or however you want to put it, ridiculously generous and marvellous Eion and Jan Edgar gave another $100,000.
Friday night was the red carpet night of the year - the Salvation Army fashion show in Earnslaw Park.
Leeanne Malcolm was at yoga in the morning and mentioned how nervous she was about being a model, so we all said we would come along.
What a treat! Haven't laughed so much in ages - not at the clothes, which were mostly fabulous, or at the models, who were all fabulous and covered every age range, but at Ferg and Quilly's commentary.
Those two know absolutely nothing about fashion and they were very happy to share their ignorance with an ever-growing audience. Among their many handy hints - when the shortest skirt on the planet was sashaying down the catwalk, they reminded us that although the Sallies don't stock a full range of sizes, that skirt could always be altered and shortened if necessary.
Thanks so much, Salvation Army, for putting on such a great show and doing a great job in our community.
And thanks to the commentators for a brilliant hour of entertainment.
The main moan I have had lately is that I am not reviewing enough "blokey" books.
This moan is coming from men.
Men who like Wilbur Smith and apparently no other author.
I like Wilbur Smith too, but not all the time.
Bill Bailey recommended Jeffrey Archer's controversial Paths of Glory to me ages ago, and I am only just reading it now.
It's the story of George Mallory who, in Archer's version, may well have knocked our own Ed Hillary off the podium by beating him to the top of Everest.
It's terrific - all old-school English chums and social niceties and a very easy, enjoyable read.
And as you'll probably only read it once, it's important to know that it's just out in paperback.
I've also been asked for books in the same vein as Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime or Q and A (otherwise known as Slumdog Millionaire) - books that adults can enjoy but can also share with their children and spark some good discussions.
It's never too early to read books with your children, but once they get to be independent readers, it gets much harder to enjoy them together.
I just read Michael Morpurgo's War Horse.
Massive tear-jerker about World War 1 from a horse's perspective.
I haven't met anyone who isn't loving this book and there's loads of issues to think about.
And Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson has just been brought out in a young adults' version.
This is still one of my all-time favourites and has been a huge seller at Dorothy Browns.
Everybody can do with reading this book, which covers religion, charity, tolerance and education in this great, great story by the author, a failed mountain climber who sets up a project to build schools throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Have a wonderful Easter and keep those recommendations coming.
