Advertisement
Published: July 31st 2019
Edit Blog Post
Ski Bunnies
Holly and Ella ready for the slopes. School holidays were upon us so all arrangements were put in place to visit Viv and Charlie in Wanaka. The idea was for our two grandkids, Holly and Ella, to come down to us from Hastings and then after a few days around Wellington, fly down to Queenstown where Viv would meet us with her two Grandkids, Annabelle and Harriet, then drive back over the Crown Range to Wanaka. Always interesting going over the Crown range with great vistas of Queenstown from the top and the lovely tussock country on the drive down to Lake Wanaka. This area of the South Island is beautiful, winter and summer.
The 4 girls always get on well when they are together and with the prospect of snow and skiing Holly and Ella were very excited. Our first day on the Cardrona Ski fields Harriet and Annabell went off to spend time with a group of skiers as they have both been skiing for a number of years. Holly and Ella, after being kitted out with ski's and boots etc, went off to have lessons for the day with instructors who had about 8 kids in each group. Di and Viv spent most of
Ella.
Ready to learn. the time inside, watching progress though the windows while keeping warm. I did return to the warmth of the cafeteria when I got too chilly but spent most of time outside watching the kids in their lessons and generally taking in the the great atmosphere of the ski slopes. The ski fields weren't carrying a lot of snow at this stage but there was plenty of snow for everyone to enjoy. A magic day, and the progress the girls made in a day of lessons was amazing. By the end of the day they had graduated from the learner fields to the main slopes reached by the chair lift. I was so impressed with the structure that was in place for all the different groups of kids from wee ones up, and also the adults learning to ski for the first time. The instructors have so much patience and they tolerate the odd kid who seems hell bent on learning only how to throw snow balls and pushing other kids into the snow. Kids will be kids. I Enjoyed being a spectator, who's skiing ability was always of the very lower scale, and just watching the learners and the "guns"
Holly.
First movement. skiing and snowboarding the slopes. The mountains are certainly a great place with the spectacula views, the activity and the fresh clean air.
Wanaka has a number of ski fields all within easy reach, and then there is Queenstown, an hours drive away which has a lot of fields as well. The whole area is certainly spoilt for choice, winter and summer. We go to Cardrona as it is the nearest to Viv and Charlies home and also, Charlie is an instructor there { part time now } and Viv is involved with admin {also part time now}.
We went back to the slopes a couple of days and enjoyed every minute, watching the girls when we could see them, keeping warm with hot drinks and good food and in my case walking around just enjoying the whole scene.
We drove to Cromwell one day to take the girls to a old gold mining area. The Kawarau Gorge Mining Centre is an area which has been kept and maintained for people to visit and see the conditions that the miners lived in. Also it gives visitors a chance to try their skill at panning for gold. Lots
Down The Slope.
First time free wheeling. Go girls. of fun until your hands start to freeze. We spent time with a group and were shown some of the methods used in the search for gold. A very interesting visit and the girls certainly enjoyed looking around, but the panning was the hit. We had couple of trips to the swimming pools, a great place to entertain kids and get them to use up a lot of energy.
I of course walked a lot, around the lake, through the township and a couple of more strenuous walks up Mt Iron which gives you fantastic views over the Lake and town. I do love to get out and walk when I'm in different locations.
I had the opportunity to have a long walk around Queenstown as Charlie had a meeting there. I always find it an interesting place to visit and to see all the tourists [sometimes a bit to crowded }but what a magic place. Great to walk beside Lake Wakatipu watching the boats and looking across to the Remarkable mountain range. So spectacular. It is certainly entitled to be looked upon as one of New Zealands biggest tourist destinations.
After 8 days we flew back
Out of the Mist.
Coming down from the first time up the top. to Wellington and had one night at home before driving up to Hawkes Bay so the kids could catch up with friends and prepare for the next school term. Pip/Rod.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.095s; Tpl: 0.022s; cc: 8; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0541s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb