The weekend away in Ohakune

 Hi,

What an awesome weekend away.  Thank you for organising it, Mike.  You did so much ferrying of people to and fro - and all the driving up to Ohakune and back.  Phew!

I grew green gold!

Friday evening saw us collect Khemry from her house on The Terrace and Amy from Customhouse Quay before heading to Mana to collect Janine from her car (ready for drop off on Sunday night so she can hoon over Haywards and home without the bother of going back into town).

We were delayed two accidents on the way up.  One at Manakau made us detour into the hinterland to skirt around the main SH1.  Huge emergency services response.  I hope everyone was ok.  :-( (Edit: alas, not everyone was ok)

Peach teats!

Lovely drive up - the weather was so good.  Quite the karaoke car ride.  Hahah.  Stopped in Taihape for tea - and everything was closed. Even McDonalds. The only option was a pie at the bp.

Hmmmm.  Next time I will pack a sandwich rather than face that again.

We reached our accommodation, Grads Lodge at Ohakune, before 9pm.  Very nice, and it's always a relief to not have an extra 45 min drive around to Whakapapa like we usually do.  Crawled into bed and had a great sleep.  

Up at 6 to have brekkie by 7 and get away as soon as possible. Mike dropped us at the Mangatepopo road end.  This was the first time I have been here since they changed the parking to only allow 4 hours.  Most people use shuttle buses now.  But we were on the track by 9am, I think.

Tongariro Alpine crossing

We're ready!

Gorgeous weather and within 1 km I was regretting my choice of beanie for headwear.  Too hot for a beanie.  I needed a sun hat.  I was expecting pretty cool temperatures.  But really, apart from a small section towards the top when my hands were a little cool from the breeze, I was plenty warm enough.  Stayed in my tramping shirt the entire time.  I did have warm tramping trousers on though.  And gaiters.  They worked well on the scree.

Lots of sunscreen.

Almost at the top of the first steep part

In the first crater area

Top of the crossing

Halfway down the scree slope

Chatted away to Brenda a lot.  Turns out both of us have done quite a few similar things through the years.  Nice to meet her and get to know her.

Khemry had us posing all the way across the walk.  Hahah.  It took her 15 km to start discussing her dating life though.  She was telling me to whisper.  But the group passing us at the time laughed and said:  what goes on the track stays on the track.

They were up to listen to any gossip.  Made me and Khemry laugh lots.

Above Ketetahi

In the bushline

Lahar trails

And at the end

Finished at 1615.  Not too bad for time.  Amy and May beat us by 1.5 hours!  Wow.    Lovely walking company.  The best autumn weather.  Mike met us 20 mins up the track with cold drinks for everyone.  He is the best!

  

Back to National Park and we all hopped into Chrissy's van for the ride back to Ohakune while Mike went back for the last 3 punters at the road end.  He was on shuttle service.

Back at Grads and I had a shower and relaxed.  Everyone else had Blind Finch burgers and by all accounts they were scrumptious. Mike says it's his go-to place at Ohakune for dinner now.

Slept okay and up later than the day before.  Tidied up.  Mike ferried people to various bike rides and walks.  We planned a brunch!  :-D

Iced latte at OCR Cafe

We also did a stroll around the 'suburb' where Grads Lodge is located.  Lots of holiday places.  Interesting 1970s architecture.

Away from Ohakune at around 2pm.  Nice drive back without any traffic delays.  Straight back without much in the way of stops.  Z at Waiouru.  That was about it.  I think we had a toilet stop at Foxton.  Hahah.

We dropped Janine off at her car.  And then Khemry at her house and Amy at hers in Berhampore.  We then met up with Iona briefly in the Bluebridge ferry queue.  She was about to get loaded onto the ferry for her trip home after a weaving week.

Home and sorted.  Fed the cats.  Unpacked.  And into bed.  Hahah.

Great weekend.

Thank you.

Love,

Angela