What snow and its still only May!

After the recent southerly blast the Tararua Ranges have a good coating of snow which has lowered the temperature’s some what. By 1pm the temperature had reached 14deg C when we pulled out of Levin yesterday heading for Tongariro. We were not due there until lunchtime today but thought it prudent to travel yesterday afternoon once the road had reopened.  We would then hopefully not have to contend with snow and ice on the road this morning. At least we had a nice fine day as we travelled north until we reached Taihape where the road had been closed due to heavy snow the previous day. Normally you can reach Waiouru about 30km further north before you strike road closures. Obviously the storm had been a real beauty throughout the central North Island. By now the temperature had dropped to 10degC and as we climbed up to the central plateau the temperature kept dropping until it hit 6degC upon arrival at Tongariro.

We opted to travel via Ohakune rather than over the Desert Road and it appeared that a lot of truck driver’s had the same idea because we have never seen so many truck’s on this road before. (Just for Geoff, yes your Chocolate Eclair shop was open):-)

On both side’s of the road snow still lay in substantial quantities. Apparently a snow plough had been all around SH’s 46/47/4 only that morning so our timing couldn’t have been better.

Friends Greg and Donna showed us photo’s of what the area had looked like two days ago after the storm passed. The boys were able to ski board just up the back of the property and build a huge snowman without going anywhere near the mountain.

Just as we arrived at our destination a rainbow appeared in front of us, do we head for the gold? It doesn’t look too far away.

Red sky at night!

Catching up on missed sleep was high on the priority this week and relaxing a little in the garden. As well as catching up with the guys at the Menzshed some time has been spent helping a friend with a Garage sale.

Hopefully this means another beautiful autumn day tomorrow.

This was quite successful but there is still plenty more to dispose of yet. I relieved him of an old bicycle which has now been put back into service with 2 new tyres and tubes and an old kitchen bench which is now installed in our garage for extra storage and an indoor work bench ( for those days when it’s too cold outside to do anything else).

Taken from upstairs over the rooftops.

The bicycle has had a few test runs and I have discovered that I can still ride even after years of having never been near a bike.

Normal service to be resumed.

All lined up at MCC site at Foxton Beach

After a horrendous two weeks things are starting to get back to normal. Over the week-end we were rally family for a caravan club rally held at the Manawatu Caravan Club private grounds at Foxton. The weather we had requested turned out just fine despite the forecasted rain and we were able to stick to our game plan of a mini Petanque competition which was won by Geoff. The evening entertainment was boys and girls names starting with the letters A.N.Z.A.C. A & N for Boys, A & C for girls and Z for either. The result for this competition was a complete and utter whitewash by Cath  who must have sat up half the night collating her list. Well done guys.

Ready set –GoThis is what we're after!Great weather for May.  Levin had the national high temperature too.

On our way home on Sunday we called in to see our American friend Dave. He presented me with an old clock that he had inherited from his mother which had fallen off the wall and sustained some body damage.

Monday morning and I was back off to the Menz Shed having missed the previous 2 weeks. Dave’s clock was taken along and has now been repaired. It is still under clamps until the glue sets hard and will be finished on Thursday. While at the Shed I did manage to get a bit more done to my project of a kiddies toy castle.

Arriving home I found that Dot had our evening meal of wild paradise duck all prepared.  The Caretaker had spent the weekend out hunting with the start of the Duck Shooting Season.  We were incredibly lucky to receive two duck breasts each to try.  Dot had soaked them overnight in water that was replaced several times before marinating them today in mayonnaise.  The breasts were cut almost in half through the middle and stuffed with precooked onions and mushrooms, then wrapped in bacon and cooked in the oven for 45 minutes.

What did we think with our first sample of wild duck.  Disappointed to say the least, quite tough, although I ate mine Dot gave hers a miss. Checking our friend Mr Google it appears that duck is best eaten medium rare.  Oh dear.