Arrival

Met by Spook's new Boss. Within 30mins he had been handed the key to the Ute and directed to the hotel in Wanaka. We have a car for two weeks to help us settle in, but Steve (the boss) borrowed it to go snowboarding. We observed our 1st bungy jump 20mins up the road - don't think I'll be doing that! The hotel has floor to ceiling/wall to wall window with views onto the lake and over to the Mount Aspiring National Park. Steve called by later on his mountain bike to remind us to put everything on the tab.
We went and had a sneaky look at our new house, peering in the windows. Looks quite compact but comfortable, with a small yard. Met the neighbour, who had been keeping a close eye on us. Stu and Coleen, who are English and Australian and have lived here for 30 years. They are late 60's and he weeds the creek that runs through their garden. Wanaka seems to be for the young dudes and the retired. From the nerves I have suffered so far, I think I am more likely to be found hanging out at the bowling green with Stu and Coleen, or learning Bridge, than seeking out anything that makes my heart beat too fast.
Finn experienced his first difficulty today. 3 kids on skateboards commented as they scooted by  "orange shoes and orange hair - minger". Pretty unsettling for him as he is no longer surrounded by loving friends. Do think that the big bluebottle sunglasses he insists on wearing, do not help his image. I am now in the unusual position of having to take him out tomorrow and buy branded clumpy trainers, baggy jeans, skateboard, and trendy cap. We will need to put him through his paces at the skatepark while everyone else is sleeping to see if we can get him up to speed.  He mumbled sadly ' I sometimes wish I didn't have orange hair'.
 We'll make them wish they ALL had orange hair!