Well we've finally made it across the straits, but first we'd better fill you in on a couple of things we've been up to in Wellington since our last update.
Now that it's winter, the town has quietened down a bit...less events taking place, but still finding more than enough to keep us entertained (and not just with more and more tasting of NZ wine, although that is a good past time!). Mid winter is a bit of a celebration here...seems they miss having christmas in the cold...Ben's office decided to celebrate it with a swim in the harbour! It may look sunny in the photo, but it was bloody cold, we only managed about 30 seconds in the water, but long enough for us to get proof of doing it! Meanwhile Kerry opted not to take part in a similar event at her work, settling for the free BBQ and ice cream instead!
We had our first taste of All Blacks rugby, went to watch the AB vs France game in Wellington. Terrible weather and handling conditions, so not a classic free flowing Southern Hemisphere experience, but fun none the less.
Our first guest came to stay in our little flat, Paul Stock (from Uni if you don't know him) was here for a couple of days. Sadly the weather was pretty atrocious so didn't get to see Welly in all its glory, but still good to see him.
Right on to the South Island...had a week's holiday as Rosie Jones (another friend from Uni if you don't know her) was out to stay. Played a blinder by getting stupidly drunk on the Saturday night before having to get the ferry early Sunday morning...oops, thought we would have learnt by now! Fortunately the crossing wasn't as rough as expected!
Picked up a hire car when we arrived and headed off (with a hitch hiker!) to Nelson Lakes National Park for some walking in the snow. Did a 2-day ridgeline walk, staying in a backcountry hut by a lake at the far end of the ridge. Apparently it was by a lake, but as it was frozen and covered by a few feet of snow we didn't really notice! The hut was fantastic if a bit cold. Thankfully there were some logs left for the fire, but felt sorry for the next people coming up as they'd be pretty chilly! We were the only people there, so had a fun night with the wine, baileys and whiskey that we'd carried up, curled up on matresses in front of the fire!
The second day we dropped down a steep, very snow filled valley, full of frozen waterfalls (it was called the Cascade Track) to the side of Lake Rotoiti (in the photo below). Amazing weather pretty much the whole time made it a pretty perfect walk.
Then it was time for Kerry and Rosie to learn to ski...finally...yey!
Went to Mt Lyford, a little ski field up a steep 13km single lane dirt track covered in snow...our little 2 wheel drive car did us proud amongst the big 4x4's (thank god for the snow chains!). It was a bit hairy in places, with plenty of understeering and shear drops off to the side (it got renamed by Rosie 'the road of death'!).
Anyway once we were there it was all good, with hardly anyone there, nearly 2 m of snow as a base, fresh powder and 2 days of sunshine what more can you ask for!?!
With only 2 hours of lessons over the 2days (and pointers from Ben here and there) the girls picked it up pretty quickly...once they'd mastered T-bar lifts! No injuries thankfully and loads of good fun made sure more skiing will be happening soon. Actually, we are booked to go next weekend and the one after with different friends, so soon Kerry will be a pro!
Headed back up along the Kaikoura Coast...lots of snowy mountains meeting the sea, hundreds of smelly fur seals but sadly no dolphins or whales (which the area is famous for, apparently 9 sperm whales live there) before stopping in on a few vineyards to sample the local produce of the Marlborough region....mmm! Kerry lost paper-scissors-stone so as the designated driver had to throw wine away for the first time in her life (there were nearly tears in her eyes!). Also managed to pick up a few souvenirs to enjoy at home.
Had a quick driving tour of the very picturesque Marlborough Sounds before heading back to the port, marking the end of the trip.
Rosie left us yesterday, so the house is a bit quieter now...need more visitors please, apparently the air bed is very comfy!
