How to Enjoy a Hot Meat Pie

Here's how, in only six steps.

1. Get up early. 
2. Drive up a mountain. 
3. Ski a bleak winter's morning in wind and snow.
4. Camp out on a icy deck, because the cafe is full.
5. Enjoy the hot pie warming your cold wet frozen fingers
6. Enjoy the hot food going down into a empty hungry stomach.

Lucy enjoying a well deserved Turoa cafe meat pie in the cold after a morning's skiing.

Climb and Ski Descent from Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake

A GoPro video of a ski mountaineering trip on Mount Ruapehu, Turoa side. It briefly covers a skinning up on touring skis, followed up a climb up to the 'saddle' over looking the Crater Lake.

The ski out in late afternoon mid winter snow several days after a fresh dump was pretty nice. It goes through the 'best bits' of the off trail area 'Out West' and through the remoter bits of Solitude.

Taken Saturday 22 Aug 2015.

Mt Ruapehu, Turoa. 'Heading Out West' 2015-08-22

Mt Ruapehu, Turoa, Sat 22 Oct 2015. A trip far out west to the edge of the Mangaturuturu Glacier and back in again, via the 'best bits'.  Way to avoid the crowds out in Solitude.

Martinborough vineyards

Wellington Anniversary weekend saw us pack up the camping gear for a few days camping in the Wairapa. This is a shot taken of the Martinborough vineyards during a summer sunset. Taken at the end of a hot afternoon.

Ruapehu in Summer

During the drive down the country after the Christmas break we often overnight in Ohakune. No rush to return back to summer-less Welllington.

Ohakune is very peaceful in summer compared to the hub-bub of winter time.  Here are some shots of the mountain and the countywide sweltering in summer.

Feeding of the Lambs

Amelia and Lucy feeding the lambs at sheep world.

The shearer running the show was a 'bit of a dagg' himself. But he was pretty handy with his dogs running the sheep.

Pakiri Beach

There is something magic about Pakiri Beach. It is a classic remote wild northland surf beach.  Each visit is a memorable experience, even if it is only a trip over a hill and down a dusty country dirt road from where we are staying at Christmas.

This year I took the kids over for a visit with the camera, determined to get some shots of them in action in the white sand and surf.

Lucy took to her heels and ran of course straight down into the surf. It took some convincing to remind her that the waves where not as forgiving and tame as the beaches she is used to.

 On the beach was a surf club in action teaching their nippers.

Both the girls enjoying running down the sand dunes. 

More shots here.