Queenstown Pt 5

Our time down here coincided with the opening of the Winterfest which started with fireworks and lots of other festive activities.  The Winterfest registers the opening of the mountain and beginning of the ski season.  The night before we watched a concert of top kiwi bands and in the morning there was a jet boat competition.  Shame Oli wasn't with us, he would have loved it.

Queenstown Pt 4

Minutes from the hotel is a walk around a headland where you can take in all the views.  It was a bit of chilly -2 but once we were wrapped up it was fine.  The weather brought out all the wonderful colours surrounding us and it was truly inspiring. The photos do not do any of it justice. The park was also a frisbee golf park which brought a smile to our faces and there was a great looking ice-rink in the middle.

Queenstown Pt 3

Our final day in Queenstown was a stunner.  We were staying in the Novotel which is right next to the lake, perfect location.  Fran and I had a coffee in a cafe on the beach taking in the beautiful view thinking what a fantastic place it is.  The hotel was a great price considering its amazing location, the only problem was the parking at the hotel charged $20 or you pay by the hour. We were both surprised by how big QT was with all the shops and cafes, there was a mall like area in Frankton by the airport.  We were also pleasantly surprised that it didn't feel too busy, we were worried that it would feel over-crowded but even though it was the opening of the Winterfest and it was busy, it didn't feel overwhelming.

Queenstown Pt 2

On our return to Queenstown the weather turned on us and our trip on the Gondola was a little frustrating as our views were restricted by the weather.  However, you do get a sense of how big and where Queenstown is.  QT really surprised me in that there was many shops and although it was beginning of the Winterfest it didn't feel too busy, I thought it may feel over-crowded but it didn't at all.

Queenstown

Sorry for the massive delay but I have been busy.  Let me explain.  We have been thinking about what to do next lately and bizarrely a job came up in Queenstown.  Its time to move on professionally and this would be a perfect opportunity to move to a totally different part of the country.  We decided to give it a go so I have applied for the job and visited the school.  This gave us the opportunity to have a few days together without children, which is the first time in 10 years!!   The trip didn't start too well as the plane was delayed for nearly four hours with me missing my first appointment with the principal but she kindly re-organised a shorter meeting for later in the day.  We arrived in the mountains of Frankton about eleven which was experience itself, landing with mountains either side is a little alarming but exhilarating.  We got our manual hire-car which was a little dangerous but we were able to get to the school without   killing ourselves, and the meeting went well.

The following day we went on a recon to Wanaka as there is a couple of schools there, there only two schools in Queenstown so the chances of getting a job are very slim.  It took about an hour to get to Wanaka and we drove past a bungy gorge which was unfortunately closed, shame.  The weather wasn't great when we arrived in Wanaka but it seemed like a really lovely place - very small though. On our way back, we headed up the mountains of Cardrona and had a drink in the pub by the fire which was great.  The weather cleared and on our way back to Queenstown we found a view point where we saw the planes fly through - amazing!

Walk on Long Bay

It was beautiful day and perfect for a walk with friends Hayley and John. There was a new play area with an awesome tunnel between two spiders webs, which was very cool.

We had a lovely walk to Granny Bay where the children determinedly built a dam which was very entertaining.

On our way home we stopped at a bay in Torbay which is two bays up from us. There was a lovely cafe with ice-cream and good coffee, everyone happy!

Sanders Reserve

Phil and Jo recommended Sanders reserve at they took their children there.  What was really cool was the smaller tracks for younger children which suited all three as they were able to go round and round for a bit to gain some confidence.  Once they were buzzing we took them on the 7km track which was met with mixed reviews.  It was quite hilly and even though they were able to push their bikes up, there was a fair bit of moaning.  Fortunately it was great weather and we were able to finish, eventually.