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

Does the Easter Bunny really live????

Easter time.
A time to reflect and urm eat. Or is it eat and then reflect -- on all the extra pounds gained from chocolate?

We bought some easter treats for our boys.
Here Mamabear can be seen pretending to be the Easter bunny and get one basket ready. We hid them in the boy's bedrooms. No sweat for the older one :)
The other one - had difficulty finding the gift. No surprise there, as his bedroom usually resembles a rubbish tip - excellent for hiding little treasures!!
Sadly the idea that cleaning up while searching for the easter goodies would be a really good idea (as it would make future searches easier) did not enter into the consciousness!! So much for the Easter Spring Clean. Next year we might add a rescue beacon into the gift baskets . . . . . .

Of course - rabbits are a bit of a plague here and annually there is the great easter bunny shoot/hunt on in our country. During some years previously, in a single night of hunting some hunters would come back with well in excess of a 1000 bunnies - which are usually skinned and made into dog tucker. Word of advice Mr Easter Bunny -- better avoid New Zealand this time of the year - there are no guarantees :)

For myself - well I was reflecting on the rich food devoured while in Europe searching for snow and Santa - and have decided a "See-food" diet is a great way to loose weight - as long as I only see healthy food. I think this would be part of the "daily eat 5" campaign.

Shhhh --- ok ok so my cousin KNOWS I also ate a Schwarzwald Kirsch Torte for dessert last night - but hey - it had cherries in it - thats'a fruit - and that's gotta be good for you - RIGHT????!!!!!!!!

HAVE A GREAT EASTER
BLESSINGS
Papabear - over and out

hmpf - where did I stash these yummy caramel chocolate easter eggs ---- MAMABEAR . . . . . . .

Snow bunny on a slope

Well - ok - So I cheat - but really . .
This is what we are looking forward too - snow - blue dome sky - plenty of sun and a smooth piste - and of course the obligatory snowbunny. Then there is the Apre-ski, where one can meet and greet any number of international folks . . As a matter of fact - apart from family we will be meeting - oh wait - thats still classified. Rats.

No Mr. Schick - I'm not going to bring her back - you go and get your own. (But I could tell you where to look!)

sigh - still 2 sleeps to go and more packing . . . .

Giggles - see the snow??? Remember I WILL bring BACK HOME a snow ball - just for you. I tend to keep my promises.

PS. for those who don't know Apreski IS a big buisness - a quick google search found this http://Apre-ski