We checked the forecast last night, and it didn’t look good strong winds from the northwest, gusting up to 60 mph. The kind that makes you question whether you’re steering a campervan or a kite on wheels.
So, we made the call to wait it out. The morning was wild gusts hammering the sides of the van, trees bending, and the rain flicking sideways. The smart move was clear: stay put and let nature have her say.
Thankfully, the holiday park had a big lounge, a lifesaver for a family on weather watch. The girls played with building blocks, we caught a bit of The Chase and Pointless (Kiwi TV loves a bit of British telly), and Ali checked over tomorrow’s itinerary while I brewed what was probably my third coffee of the day.
By four o’clock, the wind started to ease. The van stopped rocking, the clouds broke apart, and for the first time all day, the air felt calm. We packed up, filled the tanks, and decided to make a move for the next stop.
On the way, we stopped in town for an early dinner, just to be safe before driving. As luck would have it, the weather kept improving the roads were quiet, the sky was clearing, and the mountains ahead looked dramatic against the evening light.
By the time we pulled into our campsite near Franz Josef, the wind had finally given up. It felt like we’d won a small battle with the elements. We parked up, stretched out, and called it a day ready for tomorrow’s adventures on the West Coast.
Sometimes on the road, you don’t just chase the weather you learn to move with it.
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