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

 

 

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.

 

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. .)

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.

 

 

 

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