Apologies for the big gap since our last blog we’ve been through an exciting time recently and yes! we are now firmly set up in Wanaka, the next stage of our NZ trip is underway.Firstly, as you all know Christchurch was hit by an 6.3 earthquake on the 22nd February. Luckily enough we had left the area and were in Wanaka at the time, fortunately our friends and family in Christchurch are also safe and sound. Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch as well as the Japanese, what is the world coming too?So lets take you on a journey of our time spent in Wanaka so far. We arrived here on the evening of 14th Feb, the crazy thing was that the camper broke down as soon as we arrived at our camp spot! it wouldn’t start up again! The following morning I had to ring up the AA luckily enough the guy knew exactly what it was, a common problem for these vans the distributor points had worn. A simple and cheap job to fix luckily. So with our camper ironically breaking down in Wanaka we dropped it off at the garage and headed into town for the first time.Wanaka is set at the bottom end of Lake Wanaka and is the the gateway to the Mt Aspiring Nation park. The town is considered as the sister town to Queenstown, its got all the ‘extreme’ activities you could hope for but is far more relaxing and doesn't have the hordes of people on organised pub crawls, plus the climbing and ski fields are closer and better!So we headed for the centre of town our focus being to look for work and accommodation, but which one first? We came across the first estate agents, popped in and came out with two possible viewing, one later that day at 4pm. We carried on down the street and came across another estate agents this time the lady offered to take us for a viewing there and then, so off we went. Already we had 3 potential houses up for rent and we had only been here 30mins. The next place I came across was the Job agency, there was some vineyard work available starting the next day, so I signed my name down. Emma meanwhile was on the other side of town I got a call saying she had found a job housekeeping at Edgewater, a posh holiday resort, she would start tomorrow too. We couldn’t believe how the day had gone. It was reaching 4pm so we set off to view the house, inside we already knew that we wanted it, everything had gone so smoothly already, we turned up with a massive grin and loved it, by 4:30pm the house was ours. What a first day.We couldn’t move into the house for another week, but it was no worries as we were both busy working. I enjoyed a week of putting nets over the vines with some other travellers who have become great friends. Ben & Julie (UK), Angharad (UK) and jamie (NZ) along with the boss Steve, we all got on really well, to the point that Ben & Juile are currently staying at ours along with frequent visits from Angharad for tea and games of cards.Our little crew stuck together with the agency, doing numerous jobs over the passing weeks such as fruit thinning and house removal work.Emma meanwhile has been meeting many people at Edgewater, many of whom quickly noted her efforts and she was soon getting offers to work in the restaurant as well as housekeeping. I have recently joined her and the team of cleaning fairies who work hard out between the hundred or so rooms. At least there is always lunch to look forward too which comes every day, as much as you want free of charge.These jobs are only the start, we just needed something to help pay our first set of bills and get us set up for the winter. I’m currently waiting for positions to open on the mountain so I can hand in my C.V. We also have a contact with the head of the local college’s Outdoor Pursuits course who Emma is meeting up with this week. I’m starting my training course with a local adventure company call ‘Serious Fun River Surfing’ / ‘Frogz’ who guide people down the white water of the Kawarau River, it starts this week and will involve training me up so that I can guide people down the river on hydrospeeds and body boards next summer.(Emma)Our house is lovely, we have done a little video tour for you to watch (see videos) so I wont describe it here. The main thing to know is that there is plenty of room for you to come and visit of course.Oh we’ve also got a kitten! With a cat flap already installed, we decided to share our little place. Ozzy is fantastic, crazy at times but always up for a cuddle in your lap.We’ve been in Wanaka a few weeks now, but not really had chance to get out and explore, the novelty of having a house has meant we have enjoyed hanging out with friends and cooking lovely food. It has been especially good using veggies from the garden and having the use of a toaster!Days off have cropped up however and we have made the most of them, like walking upto Roys Glacier in the National Park along with plenty of local crag climbing. When Ben and Jules booked to do the white water surfing, I agreed Lee should join them, and luckily the opportunity to work for the company was achieved from doing so.So there you go a quick run down and update of where we are at. We have an address and a number, for anyone who wants to contact us more directly. We shall promise to keep our blog going though as it is part of the journey.Lots of Love Lee, Em and Ozzy XxX