And no it is not mine before anyone asks.
Ski fields here we come – the first lot of craving for the season, well I hoped so…
Just when you think all of the weddings have dried up as all of your friends are either married or divorced up pops another one. Congratulations to Jamie and Jo!
But prior to the big day was a few days of skiing. We were a bit rusty on the first day but by Saturday morning we were all swishing our way down powder filled valleys – it was delicious! The wind was freezing cold on the chairlifts though so don’t forget your scarves and hats.
We caught up with Debs and Paddy that we met off the boat in their new “bach” just out of Ohakune township – a stunning new blonde Lockwood home that Paddy built himself.
We nearly didn’t make it to the wedding, firstly Nigel’s Ford couldn’t be fitted with chains so we queued for 30mins for nothing to be told that they do not fit chains to all Ford’s and Holden’s as the powerful rear wheel cars flick the chains off and RAL do not want to be liable for any damage the chains do to the cars. Last year we got told it was because the chains cannot be fitted to the larger calibers hmm… lesson to be learnt here: do not take Ford’s or Holden’s up the mountain.
Then we volunteered to be the test car to go up with no chains on while a Ute trailed behind us with punching bags attached to the front to “catch” us if we slipped. But note smaller cars are more likely to slip than bigger powerful ones.
Secondly, at noon we reluctantly skied back to the car to find some plonker had parked their Ute in the middle of the road so we had to get towed out – a shame really as we were contemplating skiing until the end of the day missing the ceremony and making it time for the reception – surely they wouldn’t have noticed we were missing?! That powder snow was hard to leave behind.
It was a stunning day in Ohakune just the place for a Kiwi English wedding… The Matterhorn Restaurant, Upstairs Powderhorn Chateau, held the reception where we danced and drank in to the small hours with a Wellington band called The Noodles. Only to get up and be out of the house by 1000hrs heading back to Wellington.
But not with out stopping at the best bakery in town, the Dairy beside the BP station on the way in to Ohakune. It has the best chocolate eclair’s, just like mum use to make, and biggest old fashion lolly choice along the back wall behind the counter. Also you cannot go past their home made pies, lamington’s, and sallylun bun’s.
For breakfast, lunch or dinner a nice new cafe which is situated at the top of the slight hill in town, up from Margarita’s, Nice open fireplace and great food – chef came out to chat.
For accommodation we stayed in Rangataua 4kms East of Ohakune back towards Waiouru, same place we usually do, 20c Kaha Street which can be booked through Ruapehu Chalet Rentals. A modern bach with gas heating and cooking, two bedrooms, two bathrooms with a huge lounge area, beautiful views of the mountain when you wake up in the morning. It actual snowed at town level this trip and there was snow over the farm lands on the way home to Taihape.
Posted by michellecolerocks 