HAPPY NEW YEAR from Wanaka!

Although a very quiet New Years for us, we have thoroughly \240enjoyed some down time and slower pace. \240After a bit of a lie in Tony made us a lovely cooked breakfast then we spent for time mapping out our Milford Te Anau leg. We met a newly engaged couple in the kitchen who have us some good tips on tours, driving times and mosquitoes!!!! 🦟 booked into Cascade Creek Doc campsite close to Milford.

Kids had a blast on the trampoline a lot of the morning, Rusty was stoked to nail is forward somersault landing on feet. . We headed into town and just out of Wanaka to climb Mt Iron a popular local walk around 1 hour return - it was busy! Quite a steep incline, dusty and even though overcast it was very warm and the views still spectacular though a bit muted. The kids did great despite their initial grumbles - the novelty of their camelbacks has been great for more enthusiasm towards walks!

Home for some late lunch after the walk - tried to skim stones but couldn’t get a decent park in busy Wanaka central. Back to the ranch for more chill. Tried to do a winery later but they closed early so booked us into a spa - perfect since the rain had set in good and heavy by then. Funny to meet a guy in the spa next to us Mike Carrier who would you believe went to Green Bay high the same years as I did?! Will have to look him up. I made us a slow cooked lamb shanks - love the challenge of a camp kitchen! Kids were happy with their dumplings & noodles healthy styles whilst watching some Hobbit. Then later switching to Avatar in the loft of the camper - so cute. Night! X

Kids’ Daily Questions:

1. What’s your favourite thing you did today?

2. What thing did you love seeing?

3. What was your fave food today?

RASUL

• Sitting next to the pilot on our heli ride to FJ glacier.

• The fireworks on Wanaka lakefront from 2020 turning into 2021

• Sausage pasta for dinner

ROCCO

• Snowball fight up 6000ft!

• The moss & eel at Lake Matheson

• The snow ! (But not the yellow stuff 😂)

PRIYA:

Landing on the snow at FJ and double bouncing on the trampoline at Wanaka Top 10.

• The snow on our heli ride! !

• The pasta (no surprises there)