Rain, rain go away

 Here it is already Saturday June 11 and Joan and I continue to enjoy our New Zealand adventure.    It has been raining and snowing all week which is a little annoying but it is clearly offset by the spectacular views that it is creating.  The nearby photos attest to the scenery.   Dan, Annie and Malcie took us for a fairly short ride towards the ski area and we were stunned by the beauty the whole way.   We drove to the base of the ski runs, an area known as Treble Cone.  The paved road is not very wide and in fact has a few short bridges that are one way, telling us that the road was built many, many years ago and other than re-paving has never been worked on again.  Annie said this is very typical in New Zealand.   Other than ski season I would image the road is only used by the occasional farmer and tourist although apparently there are also lot of campers during the summer. A beautiful river runs by the road with many beaches for sunning and swimming.  The quaintness of the road had a lot of charm.   This also gave us our first look at sheep, a lot of sheep!   An interesting tidbit about sheep.  In 1982 there was approximately 70 million sheep in the country and now in 2022 about 25 million.   Is this a problem?  Not at all.  The country was overrun in the 1980s but the profits of the sheep farmers was falling precipitously and it was decided to scale way back, farm other products and return to profitability.   Apparently, the numbers work in all commodities now.  Smart businessmen.

 

Last night we headed out to watch Phoebe’s weekly game of “net ball” and left as it was starting to snow here at our level.   Our first snow!  It was quite exciting but within 15 minutes it turned back into rain.  Joan and I want to see the town covered with snow and we keep waiting but we better be careful what we wish for.  Driving on the left side of the road AND having snow on the road may be a bit much.   I guess we will just take what nature gives us. Net ball is a game slightly similar to basketball.   I don’t think it is ever played in the US.  I guess you could go on line and see the rules if you’re up to it.  A quick game and fun to watch.   Phoebe’s team is undefeated and has been running up the score against their opponent.  They certainly seem to be having fun.

 

We are all aware of the water shortages in the western area of the US and the cautionary measures taken but down here water isn’t even on the radar.   An unlimited amount everywhere and with the rain totals each year the homeowners don’t even get a water bill.  Dan thinks it’s built into the homeowner’s tax.   Very good tasting too.  It just adds to the wonder that New Zealand is.   

 

One last thought:  I have been hungry the whole time we’ve been here.  Eating a lot!!!   No changes on my belt notches, a good thing, but we’re still here for another 11 weeks so we shall see.  I may be fooling myself but I’m enjoying every minute!