when we left Queenstown the sky was full of clouds, but it was warm. We stopped for coffee at Cardrona

We went over the mountain road to Wanaka and along the road towards the west coast passing Lake Hāwea on the right and then top of lake Wanaka on the left. Then the fun started! We stopped for lunch as the rain started. These are the photos up to lunch and you can see the rain clouds.

Then as we travelled down through Gates of Haast Thunder Creek. We kept descending in torrential rain. Grandad thinks it was worse than 3 years ago and that was very bad! The sides of the mountains were absolutely pouring with waterfalls. It was spectacular but you had to take the road carefully. No photos as we would have been drenched to the skin.

Afterwards when we got to our motel the black clouds moved to the mountains behind us and clearer skies came in from over the sea.

We can’t believe it but it is now beautiful blue skies with white clouds! It’s 8.30 pm and we’ve just had a walk along the beach.

It’s very windy and gusty, quite exhilarating. I will send more photos tomorrow of Haast when hopefully it should be a better weather day. Xxxx

Our motel. There is a road and then a short walk through the vegetation onto the beach.xx