Snow Falls Silently

It may sound deep and philosophical, but its also true- snow doesnt make any sound when it falls. Think about it- rain, depending on the heaviness will either sprinkle, patter or pour (one of the best sounds ever, by the way), hail makes itself heard in a clatter, sleet, accompanied by wind, will whistle as it chills but snow makes no sound at all. Silence as it lands gently on my hand knitted mittens and replenishes snow fields to allow for extra soft crash landings, silence as it turns green sequoia pines into silver towers and multi-coloured cars into uniform white mounds. Going to bed on our last night to clear but chilly skies and waking to a winter wonderland was a bit of a surprise (especially as it caused airports to be closed and our flights to be cancelled) but what a lovely thing a snow day can be!

Thanks to Japan I had actually seen real snow before, but still there is something magical about the way that it makes everything quiet (except for the snow chains clattering down the road), and so so clean (which lasts only until it begins to melt and you get yucky slushy brownness).

We had a brilliant time in New Zealand- three days on the snow- which i should really only count as two, coz on the second I was a bit seedy and Jane was a bit sore and we only managed three runs! and were in bed by 7.30. Much to my relief snow boarding is a bit like riding a bike, once you know how it doesnt take long to pick it up again, and we had a great first day on the beginners slopes (MAGIC CARPET BEST THING EVER!! see pics), working out how it all works again. By the last day and thanks to a big fat lie from Janes new found friend who said that the Intermediate slopes werent so bad, we were up to the big chair lift and right up the top of the mountain. Well this turned out to be a good thing, coz while it took us a little while to get down, this was the best views and the nicest snow, and yes now we can both ride an Intermediate slope!

CHAIR LIFT UPDATE- Something needs to be done about the chair lift, because, the level of difficulty of mastering the beginnings of snow boarding does not match the level of difficulty of the chair lift. I am convinced there is no sure fire guaranteed way of sliding nicely to a gradual stop as you disembark. Especially on the beginner lift at Coronet Peak which has a killer 180 degree ice bound, feels like 400 metre steep drop to the left. Once, in the whole time we were there did I manage not to STACK it coming off the chair lift. Apart from this we are pros. But I have an idea- the magic carpet, which is like a big escalator, should be installed at just the start of the chair lift drop off. Then you could just put your board onto the carpet which would take care of all the slippery uncontrollableness of the dismount. Watch this space, my idea will be picked up in an instant. Well it should be.

Queenstown is really well set up for tourists, its such a cosy little town nestled in the mountains, and while the picturesque views and ease may hike prices its definitley worth it. Plenty of pubs and clubs, cafes and restaurants- we went on a bar crawl and I won a bungy jump (and neither jane or i flashed our boobs once!) I say this because the competition was to collect the most amount of beads that everyone was wearing around their neck for the festival and the tradiditon there is that girls have to flash guys to get them. Anyway, we got our beads in completely innocent ways and won me a bungy!!!!! It was great, not as scary as the actual thought of it is. Will definitley do it again, only higher next time!

Time for the photos

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