No snow again this morning so we decide we will go find some. The Antarctic Centre is described as Christchurch’s most popular attraction and when Simon finds two for one discount vouchers in some info leaflet we set off. We have hired an Astra for the next 20 days, it is a bit of a crap car but only cost 220 quid including hire of the snow chains.

The Antarctic Centre is the base from which travellers to Scott Base (New Zealand’s Antarctic Base) leave. Over the past few years it has also been developed into a tourist attraction and it’s interesting and educational for the kids. We read some information about the Antarctic first, learning that it is the coldest (Minus 89 degrees), driest and windiest place on earth. There are lots of models in the centre wearing the clothes needed to keep you warm there and we get the opportunity to try some on when we head to the snow room.

At minus 8 it’s freezing and everyone wraps up in the overshoes and thick coats provided. Even those don’t help much when the storm comes though. These happen every hour and although I wouldn’t say it was good fun standing there in the dark with the wind howling around us and the temperature reduced to minus 21 it was a great experience. (The kids and Simon of course loved it!!) Maisie went in a couple of times and really enjoyed sliding down the ice slide and sheltering in the igloo.

We then went to see the penguin feeding; the Little Blue Penguins have all been rescued due to injuries that would have meant they would have died if they had been left in the wild. They’re so cute, only about a foot tall and its great watching them swimming around through the underwater window. Lastly we have a ride on the Hagglund, these machines are used in the Antarctic for getting around and transporting stuff. It’s quite a thrilling ride as the driver seems to enjoy scaring us by doing donuts at a 25 degree tilt. He assured us these things are made to do this but it was quite scary. We also go over a manmade crevasse and through a pond where we are relieved to discover the Hagglund are actually amphibious in case they fall into ice seas.

After some shopping we get back to the hostel and Simon cooks us some lovely New Zealand lamb for dinner- yum! I make us some mulled wine and we sit in the lounge watching a film before heading of to bed around 11pm.