January 9, 2021  | The final day of our Clyde holiday, so it was time for our annual photo on the seat under the tree!   Alfie joined the boys for this one!  Then it was off for a game of mini-golf and a swim at the Cromwell pool.  We are now all packed up (well kind of) and ready to hit the road tomorrow!

January 8, 2021  |  This afternoon the 'big' boys played a round of 'big' golf, so Austin and I headed off for a game of mini-golf!  It was a tie, so Austin was pretty happy with that ;)

January 7, 2021  |  We woke to rain this morning.  It's starting to feel like a bit of a summer of rain!  It was a wet, quiet morning around home, but then the sun finally came out this afternoon, along with a trip to the swimming pool.  A quick photos of the boys before we headed off.

January 6, 2020  |  It's not too hard to guess where we were today!  We left Te Anau this morning after a last walk around town, and then made the drive back to Central Otago.  We called into Queenstown on the way back for lunch and a walk around town.  Then it was back to Clyde.

 January 5, 2021  |  Wet Fiordland!  A magical, but very wet experience!  I have been lucky enough to visit Milford Sound three times previously, but today was definitely the wettest!!  Crazy wet!  Of course, that was Austin's favourite part!

We left Te Anau at 7.00am this morning to make our way over to Milford Sound in time for our cruise.  The rain started as we left, and only got heavier as we headed West.  The Mirror Lakes wasn't quite a mirror today, but the Sounds definitely lived up to their reputation of incredible waterfalls everywhere in the rain.

Our cruise was on the Milford Mariner, as the rain poured down as we headed out the Fiord, getting heavier along the way.  It didn't take long to get soaked through (jackets included), especially as we headed right in under the waterfalls, Austin in his element!  He had so much fun out on the deck.  

We made it out to the Tasman Ocean in very low seas, and then the decks cleared as we turned head-on into rain and wind or the way back in - except for Austin, lol!  It was a struggle to keep him inside!  Lots of fun though!

It was a pretty direct run back to Te Anau with a carload of very wet and cold occupants.  The boys ended up sleeping on and off on the way back (a by-product of an unusually early holiday wake-up call and a big day out.)  Steve and I stopped once at Falls Creek for a very quick photo stop - figuring we were that wet anyway!  The boys chose to stay in the car!

Back at our apartment, it was hot showers for everyone and a bit of chill-out time.  Then we wandered down into town for a yummy dinner.  By the time we walked home the rain had completely stopped for the first time all day, and there is definitely a glimpse of a gorgeous day ahead tomorrow.  

The boys have had a great time so far, and loved our trip!

A little collation of a few photos today!

January 4, 2021  |  Clyde - Te Anau.   A few days ago we decided to make the most of our holidays down in Central and planned a kind of last minute trip down to Te Anau and Fiordland.  It's a pretty quick trip with two nights away, but it's great to get the boys out and seeing more of New Zealand!

We were lucky enough to be able to book a great wee apartment here in Te Anau, and travelled down today, leaving Clyde late morning.  We didn't quite make it to Franklin before Austin was car sick, but we were prepared, so a quick stop on the side of the road and we were off again.  

We arrived in Te Anau late afternoon, and went for a quick walk down town to the Lake, then an ice cream and a fun game of mini golf - a record for us with not one argument or golf club thrown, lol!

Takeaways for dinner tonight, and soon to be an early night before a very early start in the morning!

A photo today of the boys down on the lakefront this afternoon.

January 3, 2020  |  Welcome to the summer of cricket in Clyde!  The boys have played a lot of 'backyard' cricket this holiday, and I finally managed to catch some photos today.  Hayden was bowling, and Austin batting.  Austin chose the photo - well photos - today as he wanted to tell a story.

January 2, 2020  |  It has definitely been a wet start to the New Year.  In fact, so wet that today we haven't really done anything other than hanging out at home.  And so why not make yourself comfy on the bed and have a snooze - it's a dog's life today!

January 1, 2021  |  HAPPY NEW YEAR!  It has been a very quiet, wet start to the New Year!  We managed to squeeze in a walk in between showers this morning, and the boys have been outside and gotten soaked a couple of times.  Other than that, it's been an inside day!  

A photo of the mischief maker today - not many other opportunities for photos!