Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Sunday 27 July 2014

Snow on the Tops

Sunday, we had a day out, taking Wonky Wagon, driving up the Desert Road, crossing over to National Park, and visiting Chateau Tongariro. Freezing wind from the south, morning tea was in the wagon, out of that wind. On the northern side, much calmer, and the morning cloud had all gone.

Tripod  was so handy to do a panorama shot, 8 photos, stitched with Serif. Next time I will take the photos in Portrait mode.

The arrows showing the snowmobile or tractor was  edited with Picasa, and I used Windings.

A long day, and a very dear friend called in not long after we were home with the most yummy “ Lemon Birthday Cake” Margaret, you are a gem in my life, thanks so much.

Mouse over or click on  any photo for a title or reference.

Mt Ngauruhoe, from the Desert Road

 

Morning Tea in the Wonky Wagon

Mt Tongariro was throwing out some smoke, cloud or ash, the sulphur smell was strong.

 

Ash  Plume from Mt Tongariro

 

Mt Ngauruhoe in wide view, taken from below the Chateau, standing on the golf course. This can be totally covered with snow after a heavy fall at lower levels.

Mt Ngauruhoe in wide view

 

Chateau Tongariro

Chateau Tongariro, in Tongariro National Park, a building of timeless elegance. The foundation stone was laid on 10 January 1929. Fletchers used a workforce of over 80, offering an incentive of free accommodation and a free suit to workers who stayed until the completion of the project. Most of the labourers were recruited from the Waikune Prison, which was the closest neighbour to the construction site.

The Chateau was designed by Timaru based architect Herbert Hall (1880-1939), who modelled his design on the Canadian Resort of Lake Louise designed a neo-Georgian structure of four stories and basement. There are 115 rooms,  divided into two main wings, the original Ruapehu Wing and the newer Tongariro Wing.

In   June 1964, Hugh, and I, with my Mum and Dad, and  our  first daughter Annette visited there, and had a meal at the Bistro.If I remember rightly, my Dad waited at the counter to pay, and after about 20 minutes, he had not been attended to, so we walked away!!! Maybe his words were like this “ Well, if they don’t think my money is good enough, never mind”!! I still smile at that today, as my Dad was the most honest and truthful man ever.

My favourite photo of the day, a panorama, using Serif, showing from left to right, Mt Tongariro ( elevation  1978 m, 6490 ft. ),   Mt Ngauruhoe,  ( Elevation 2,291 m (7,516 ft.), and Mt Ruapehu ( Elevation  2797 m, 9177 ft. .)

Mt Tongariro,Mt Ngauruhoe, Mt Tongariro Panorama

As I zoomed into the chair lifts on the upper slopes, I could see what might be a Snowmobile or tractor slowly moving up, maybe checking under each huge support. The arrow shows where it is, I couldn’t see any of this without the  telephoto lens.

 

Chair lifts #1 Arrow

 

Chair lifts  #2  arrow

 

Chair lifts #3 arrow

Quotation of the day, from Harley King

“May your dreams be larger than mountains and may you have the courage to scale their summits.

Greetings from Jean

17 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

that snow-covered mountain is just gorgeous! wow!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

The chateau is a gorgeous building..and the snow covered mountains..sigh..wish I were there!

Barb said...

Love your mountain photos, Jean. (Though I don't miss the snow right now!) Happy Birthday - hope you had a good celebration.

Georgia said...

Looks like you had a fabulous day. Good on you both!

Ali Honey said...

Great photos Jean. It's a lovely area.

eileeninmd said...

Lovely views of the snow covered mountains. Is one a volcano? A beautiful place, thanks for sharing. Have a happy day!

Nancy J said...

Hi all, yes it was a truly super day. and dare I say so, better than the real birthday day!!! Eileen, all the 3 are active, I'll post a full story of them tomorrow. Our family are skiing up where the chair lifts are, hope they have as good a day too. Cheers, Jean.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What a beautiful chateau! I so would love to visit a place like this and stay -- I love the history of these places, and the stories that go with them!

Susan Heather said...

Looks like a wonderful day out. The Chateau is on my bucket list.

I hope Hugh gets his appointment soon. Unfortunately, I think one has to keep phoning until one gets the appointment.

Belated Happy Birthday.

Karen said...

Lovely! I could handle some snow right now!

Julie Fukuda said...

Not unlike a view of Mt. Fuji though at this point Fuji is preparing for the summer climbing season.

Janet said...

You take some beautiful photos! Looks like it was a lovely outing.

Nancy J said...

Wow, I have just re-read my opening words, did anyone find my huge mistake?? I wrote... Sunday,... when in fact we went out on Saturday, am I so keen to add yet more days that I skip one?? Our family said it was freezing up there today, yes ,Sunday, on the chairlifts the frozen particles blowing right into their faces, and not really enough snow yet to have a great day skiing. And Julie, Mt Egmont is more like Mt Fuji, I'll post a photo tomorrow, Monday. Cheers, Jean.

Jenn Jilks said...

Wow! I thought it looked like the one in Canada! I've only seen photos, mind you! Fabulous shots. Great work with the panorama. My kid's Smartphone does that.
What fun!
P.S> I now have a wounded Monarch...

Carol Mattingly said...

Gorgeous photos. You live in a stunning place Jean. So glad you and Hugh got out. Have a fantastic day! Carol

Lindsjö taxar said...

Lovley mountins. Send us some snow, we could use it. Heat wave all over Sweden...

Here I Am Carrie said...

I am so happy you both ventured out in you little wagon. I just love it. What spectacular scenery you were surrounded by. Finally a break in the heat wave here.