Camping grounds in Wanaka hosted some families yesterday who were not following their traditional Christmas pattern.
Instead of Christmas Day at home, followed by a mad Boxing Day rush to their preferred campsite, the Dykes and Wilson families, of Invercargill and Winton, were among those who sat down to Christmas dinner at the camp.
Spokeswoman Mary Witsey said the two families had been camping together at Alexandra for the past five years but this year decided to try one of the non-powered sites at Wanaka's Lake Outlet Holiday Park to give the children an idea of ''roughing it''.
However, there were still Christmas lights and decorations, as well as Champagne and pancakes for breakfast, and roast chicken, new potatoes and pavlova and trifle for lunch.
Despite overcast weather, the families planned some after-dinner jet skiing and kayaking.
