Winter is here

The temps have been at minus 6 degrees overnight for weeks now.

This photo is hoar frost in a matagouri bush near the start of the Routeburn track. There is still snow on the ground from over a week ago, and it has been growing…

into the most amazing crystals.

We had planned to do the start of the Routeburn track, but the snow had been compressed into ice all along the track. Not very pleasant for walking on.

This Robin was very hungry and tried to eat our shoes. Not much food to be found when the ground is frozen solid.

 

 

 

Those are icicles.

You can get an idea of the size because of the kids at the bottom of the cliff.

 

 

 

 

 

The kids couldn’t resist breaking them off and throwing them like spears…..must be a kid thing.

 

 

 

 

 

Even the lagoon is frozen, so we indulged in a spot of ice hockey and skating …

then the boys arrived

 

 

All in all a good day, and it looks like this weather is going to be below freezing for some time yet.