Snow trip in NZ

It was now - or never! Woke to a absolute stunning blue sky day - frosty to be sure! I wanted to do this snow trip in nz this last Monday when the snow levels in NZ were lower then today (had 3 days of warm winds blowing over the alps since last Monday) - alas at the time I ended up cleaning the house for ages. So it had to be today - before everything melted away. It was worth it!! After a quick breakfast and clean up - we were on the road! I guess the pictures speak for themselves . . .
Enjoy

Left - the drive to and over Porters Pass


Right - the Pass itself




Left - Lake Lyndon (can be iced up for ice skating at times)

Right - Looking towards Arthur's Pass and West Coast



Left - Lake Pearson

Right - More of Lake Pearson





Left - Hoar Frost near Lake Pearson

Right - hmmmm the mood changed





Left - If you look carefully you can see the serpentine road up to the ski lift - this is how far we have to drive to go skiing! Chains are advised

The real Jack frost is knocking on the door

wohooo -
The Marionetten Theater was soo cool. You eventually forgot that they WERE puppets and on strings. The play was good and short (yes it was a shortened 1 hour version of the opera) but you heard all the favorites arias and songs. Interestingly enough there were heaps of under fives there with their parents. Good way to introduce the kids to opera!!

Anyhow - we woke yet to another stunner -blue skies and -10 degrees and other parts of the province had -17 degrees. I jokingly suggested to my sister it is time to invent a battery powered bootwarmer. Some coil etc - it would do the trick - only to be told that it already exists for the ski-ers! Seems to many complaints about cold feet while sking were made so the industry created and catered for the demand.
The proffesional skiers even get jackets that are battery powered and keep them warm!!
Wonder if I can flog one for myself? ? ?

Well we decided to help my sister in th ekitchen today as she is cooking a rather special meal and then use what little warmth there is in the afternoon to get and buy our boys their christmas presents! Given the weight restrictions it will have to be small and light!!!!

Speed demon ???

ha - u wish. Although I have to admit there is something about autobahns that is tempting. Yesterday we had a real leisurely morning. I read the second book and Pam ended up helping Margit make some rum balls. Had spag bog for lunch with almost all the family, only Thomas missing. Poor guy had to be up and at work by 10 am and he slept till 9.30 am. So he took his mum's car to get there in time. He does Civil service with the Red Cross. After lunch we saw some photos from Margit and Harald and then packed the car and drove toward Vienna on the Autobahn. We covered 330km in three hours BUT - yes But we did cover 95 % of the road in just under 2 hours and spent much more time (about 45 min) getting into the big city trying to find his place. There were times when we could cruize in the left (fastest) lane at 150km/hr or more. :)
Imagine getting from CHCH to Picton in 2 hours!! Wohoooo. Im so gonna miss the autobahn when we return. Then after we found Wilfrieds place we had a stroke of luck and got a car park right outside his place - most unusual for Vienna. Expect normally to walk for miles for a carpark.
After we settled in we went to the Viennese Christkindl market. Got the pics to prove it - but cant acces the lappy to trasfer pics so that might have to wait.
Still no snow - might have to wait for that too.
Be Good

Snow - here we come wohoooooo

Well - today is the day. I have packed:

• One long carrot

• 2 pieces of dark coal

• some smooth pebbles

• one oldfashioned yard broom

• cowboy hat

• mamabears ancient wool scarf

oh of course there will be snow available where we go to.

I think thats all I need for my creation!!!
Here is the original cartoon:
http://Frosty the snowman
However I think that Brenda Lee's version has a lot more umpf and tone to it.
But then I am biased - the "pocket rocket" is after all the best female singer ever.

Bee good NZ and don't get to suntanned or we will be envious when we return.
PB.

In case you're still confused
<---------- thats what we are aiming for.

gah - hes lost his carrot nose

:'(