Snakes and Ladders

Sometimes I think we are playing a game of snakes and ladders!!! Our trip seems to take several steps forward followed by a slide down the snake.
Before Christmas we were all set to head off on the road, after the family wedding in Owaka. But no, one of our properties became unrented and we took the opportunity to do some major renovation work, resulting in us spending the best part of two months in Invercargill. (At least we are getting better weather now than in January!)
On the road again with plans to head up the Coast and on to Nelson, and my Mum gets the call from the hospital she has been waiting for, re an operation, and we always said we wanted to be there to help out. So instead of heading up the Coast we have travelled up through the Waitaki valley on our way  to Geraldine.
Next snake: we were sitting back after a lovely day at Mount Cook, making plans for the next day when a phone call from our tenant in Clyde changed the plans again. The hot water cylinder had sprung a major leak and needed replacing. Stephen decided that it would make sense for us to head back to Clyde and replace it himself. So down to Twizel for the night we went and set up camp in the camping grounds at Ruataniwha, so we could leave the bus there while we whizzed back to Clyde.
Thirty five hours later we back, job completed, a happy tenant and all is well again.

One dead cylinder

One brand new, bargained priced cylinder, thanks to help from Doug,
the plumber in the family.

Replacement in progress

The completed job.

Of course each new snake or ladder takes us on a route we haven't  planned on but we are seeing so many places and things that we never knew were there, or just never had to the time to see. There are some magical places in the Waitaki Valley and it is well worth taking the time if you can.  We have had wonderful weather, fantastic views and just got out there and enjoyed it.

Our ladder is now taking us on to Geraldine for the next week or so. We will keep you posted!!