Winter wonderland at Tongariro

What better way to mark the sale of our yacht Yehudi than to head for the hills for a little land-based winter escape? We headed down to Tongariro with friends Xen and Shelaine for a winter trek.

We walked to the Mangetepopo hut by moonlight.

We got an early start and arrived at the base of Mt Ngauruhoe in the early morning. Brrr...it was cold.

And steep.

But so beautiful.

After making the summit, it was time for lunch...huddled in some shelter because by now the wind was really blowing.

Then we turned around and went back to the hut for a cup of tea.

And admired what we had just climbed up. No wonder our quads hurt!

It was a stunning, perfect weekend.