Day 6 Queenstown -the Luge

. Even in the supermarket its cold. So chai tea. Added raw ginger to tea and food to warm up. This pm we took another trip up

the top of the two green things below is a bungee jump spot

then we took a ski type lift from top of the gondola

the Luge was great fun. We each did the circuit twice. Cars really simple. Pull back the handlebars to go. But if you go too far forward or back then you stop. Can get it from 3 to 2 wheels if trying hard. Esme did 4. Rowan 2 as he is a little unwell. On my last run without esme 2 sets of three chinese were at the top without tickets. Once that was sorted they sat in the cars and attempted to recieve their safety briefing. It ended up to be one by one and took quite a while so all the queuing to go lugees watched this unfold.

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Day 5 - in chilly Queenstown

Only 90 mins away from Wanaka but closer to the south pole and it feels like it too! Absolutely freezing here - and are we equipped for cold snowy climes?  No way!!

Luckily Guy had the foresight to check the weather and even though it feel like it will snow any minute, it won't. As it was pouring with rain when we arrived we are in a snug little motel tonight and tomorrow night.

Just as well as Rowan has woken up with a stiff neck and can't turn his head.
We are dosing him up with lots of medicine and cuddles:)

Poor littke Esme has started suffering with travel sickness and the road to Queenstown is very hilly with lots of hairpin bends. Esme was becoming fraught in the back of the car and I was attending to her (telling her to stay calm etc) and she started retching.  I took my eye of her for a second and the next thing you know Rowan had started retching too and before you know whats happened.. Double trouble in the back! Yup! You got it! Horrible but true! Twins hey! Gotta love em!

Lots of activies for sale here too! Going to need some serious persuading though! 

Sarah xx

Day4 - resting in Wanaka

Wanaka is small peaceful and has summer season with walking etc and winter season with skiing. I can imagine is rammed in winter with apres ski celebrators. It has mountains all around. Firstly we op shopped more pillows. Then went to Lake Hawea nearby mainly because we thought there might be a scooterable walk there. After more non tarmac we arrived at a deserted beach.

i am trying to get sarah to agree to go into each lake we see but she didnt want to today

it was fresh. To say i swam is pushing it. When i was in sarah was looking the other way so i had to shout to get her to take the above one asap.

then we went for a 20 min each way walk round the headland passing blackberries, rabbit holes, and rose hips.

then we went to wanaka recycling centre where they recycle dump or sell all items. Found Graham Coxon live at the zodiac on dvd. Wandered outside into some containers looking for tent pegs. Found some roller blades. For ages i have been wanting an alternative to running to keep fit. As i tried them on and was tottering around inside the container a dutch bloke came over and grinned at this silly sight.

"yes I am either too old or too young or both I'm not sure" i offered.

then after id found the pads and paid and we were in the car debating what next then we saw next to us a people carrier with hatchback open, with a saw, drill and some wood in the back. Looks like someone is fitting it out for sleeping. 

Sure enough Dutchman comes back over in his bright shiny green tracky bottoms and flip flops

"yeah ive been one month on my own but now my girlfriends joined me i thought id better sort it out"

he was in the perfect place with everything at his fingertips

so we had a little chat offered him wine to help his wannabe carpentry quest from afoil pack we had been given in Tekapo by two belgian women and left him to it.

It did get us thinking though about getting a vehicle first and then fitting it out second as a cheaper way to go in north america.

then home to eat at the campsite

Day3 Lk Tekapo to Wanaka

Milo, honey on toast for the kids. Egg and bacon for us then a moment

then after letting the fly sheet air its drops off for 20 mins they were ready even if we were not quite

thin papern once again the amazing scenery just kept on coming. Its like half the country should be a national park.. kids were dozing and getting more used to being in the car

Lake  Pukaki. I think its used for hydro power. Large collections of camper vans In the car park. Rental is big business here

then kids had a play at Twizel. No pics as we can only charge one phone at any one time. Then a bit of impromptu feeding

we then got the kids to throw the food in and sarah took pics of the fish With her new camera as they came up to grab. Occasionally with a tail splash. Dinner came from here too wrapped In paper with a thoughtfully added bag of ice for keeping cool

Very hot now as go thru Lindis valley and pass.

then at last to Wanaka. Arguement involving ice cream, charity shop and what to have for lunch later we are pitching at a child friendly empty site

kids went off to play. Sarah lasted 10mins in unheated pool. Then to public bbq for dinner