We could see the snow clouds late yesterday afternoon from Pat & Vicky's place here in Nelson. The forecast was for snow but not really much. Hahaha yeah right!

This morning at 8am, when we finally peeked out from under the polar fleece sheets, it was 2 degrees, the sun was shining, the vege garden was white with frost and the grass snapped underfoot. The house is wonderfully warm, but damn, it was cool outside!  Vicky's car had a freezing night outside and was covered in a luxurious cloak of ice, glinting and sparkling like tiny diamonds as the sun hit it.

After fond farewells, big hugs and me trying to take Rusty the dog with me, we took our leave to head for Hanmer. Thanks so much Pat and Vicky, we look forward to you coming to our place again next year.

Snow has really dusted the hills around overnight. The day is cloudless and the sun hot. A beautiful drive with numerous photo opportunities. Initially, this is the same road we took from Westport to Motueka. Again we stopped at Hope Saddle but this time the temperature is 2 degrees and the hills and mountains all have snow on them. A pie and coffee some 3 hours into the journey and we are heading for Lewis Pass. Around the corner we come and the mountains are right there, the snow glistening white with the frost still hard and sharp on the roadside. This is the most amazing journey through gorges; lush, green valleys dotted with super white sheep; heavily planted forests; snowed capped mountains. All this under a bright blue sky and sun! The outside temperature, this whole drive, ranging from 1 - 3.5 degrees.

The Lewis Pass is awesome, with trees crowding the road and forming a natural guard of honour up to elevation through all the twists and turns. Magical when see an opening and realise how high you are and the snowy mountains and hills are right in your face. No snow at road level, temperature 1 degree.

We arrived in Hanmer to freezing conditions, turned up the heat and snuggled down to a cosy night.