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August 27th 2006

Published: September 9th 2006

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Angus Jo Ailsa

All hail Mev Berwick!

Jo-Ann poses by the gates of our hobbit accommodation

I suppose a benefit from having such a cold and wet winter is loads of snow on the mountains and we took full advantage a few weeks ago when we headed up to Mount Ruapehu in the central North Island for a long skiing weekend. As before we stayed in Ohakune but this time we stayed in a place called The Hobbit Motor Lodge - New Zealand's first Mev Berwick themed accommodation. It also suited Jo-Ann's stature with its low hobbit doors - lucikly for me, the beds were more Gandalf sized.

Like the last time we went skiing there (see blog from about this time last year), we got great weather, amazing views especially across to Mount Taranaki and also amazing snow - probably just enough powder to keep Keith Richards going for an entire Rolling Stones world tour.

We took the Friday off and headed up on the Thursday night so we got a whole day skiing with almost the whole mountain to ourselves. Well, not quite to ourselves but it seemed like it compared to any weekend day at Cairngorm or The Lecht. Even on the Saturday, which they reckoned was the busiest day of the

On the way up

season so far, we never waited more than 4 minutes in a queue for a lift or tow. Also, the runs were so quiet that you could ski comfortably at your own pace without constantly having to take evasive action.

We also had a couple of good après-ski nights at the legendary Powderkeg, a huge bar with roaring fire and cracking food. It was part of the fairly up-market Powderhorn Chateau which was made entirely of wood - it was just wood, wood, wood everywhere. In fact, I hadn't seen that much wood since the last time I went to Gav Albury's to watch a DVD.

We both remembered how to ski pretty quickly and took full advantage of the slopes, the snow and the views. I took way too many photos again especially of Mount Taranaki but it was a fantastic view so I felt justified. I was very pleased with my photo of Jo-Ann crawling with snow on her bahookie back to her skis after an outstanding wipeout. I had a few too - mostly really pathetic ones like just falling over for no reason after stopping, but I did do a classic head first face

Not a bad wee view

Mount Taranaki taken from Mount Ruapehu

plant. The benefit of being the keeper of camera is that the aftermath was not recorded! I also like the one of Jo-Ann after wearing her hat for 12 hours.

We're hoping to get up there again at least once if not twice more before the end of the season. Mind you, with the amount of snow there we could still be skiing in November or even December!

Back in the real world, Jo-Ann started her new job at the Australian High Commission this week. It seems she may be onto a winner - she gets paid more, is entitled to an end of year bonus, gets the New Zealand and the Australian public holidays and they also have a bar and a couple of pool tables for the poor over-worked staff! She also got taken out sailing in the harbour on Friday and got paid for it! The diplomatic gravy train is alive and well!

Next blog - Fiji. Until then, Bula!!

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