Spring on the Volcanic Plateau

Driving through the central north island in spring is just gorgeous. Pips birthday was our excuse to put the city behind us and head for the hills. Literally! Our destination a 50 acre farmlet on the Napier Taupo highway with views to Mt Ruapehu and mirror calm Lake Taupo. Highlights of our weekend were hand feeding two orphaned lambs (now named by me...Rammy Lamb and Baby Lamb! though their  ultimate destination in life is to be lamb chop and lamb roast.....eeerrrrr!) The two are such dear little creatures, I took them for a walk one morning, they skipped along at my heels on the sheep tracks. They learnt how to climb hills and jump down hillsides leapng about just like the other lambs in the very snobby flock who totally ignored our orphans!  Life is very hierarchical in the paddock! especially if your Mum has ditched you for your twin.

Friend Chrissy had set up her cute cottage for our stay and we quickly put a match to the pine-cones and hit the spa pool steaming in very chilly air while the house warmed up.

With Chrissy at the helm of her four wheeler we fed out hay to new born calves and pregnant cows. Each morning we'd collect eggs from the hen house, there is something super special about poaching a warm egg fresh from the nest. Chrissy's Orpingtons are round glossy birds, two cheeky cockerels had just been consigned to the pot just days before we arrived, despatched by my friends the pile of freshly plucked feathers testament to their Good Life philosophy. Chrissy named her 2010 calves Freezer One and Freezer Two!! and was not impressed with me naming our orphan lambies!

Rammy Lamb on left, Baby Lamb on right. Both wear lamb coats to keep warm in the below freezing temps at night.

Skiing at Whakapapa on two gloriously warm sunny days, skiing straight on to the lifts and making the most of the spring conditions reminded me how wonderful Mt Ruapehu is with its towering pinnacles and magestic views out to Mt Egmont and Taupo.

Chrissy Simmen, Taupo interior architect and designer is a fabulous chef as many in the lakes area know from her days as caterer and deli owner. Visiting her lovely home in Taupo, with views back up the lake to the mountain was a pleasure. Spring had sprung in her back garden with gorgeous yellow pansies, taking their cue from the golden Wattles, daffys and gorse on the hillsides, soon to be replaced by masses of red poppies running riot in her veggie garden later in the season.