Showers, Snow and Slumber

After a good nights slumber in Ohakune we are ready for a driving day, but that is only after the most fantastic showers we have experienced during our time on the road!  Whilst this might not seem like a big thing to those of you at home, enjoying warm bathrooms, fluffy towels, power showers, unlimited minutes of hot water – life is a little different at the campsite and has taken a little adaptation!

There are a number of perils to be faced when showering at the campsite and below are a few we have found so far on our travels, in no particular order:

1.     You discover your powered site is at the absolute opposite end of the park to the shower block.

2.     Pouring with rain outside means not a good shower day as you get very wet on the long walk to the shower block before you have even started – experienced by Mrs M at Blue Lakes, Rotorua!

3.     Do not forget your 50c pieces – otherwise no shower.

4.     5 minutes of hot water does only mean 5 minutes and then you are blasted from above by an icy cold torrent!  This is a real travesty for Mr M who relishes his 20 minute shower at home!

5.     Never ever forget your flip flops – there is no telling who’s feet have been there before you.

6.     Get up early – otherwise there is a queue.

We had a small touch of luxury at Ohakune this morning – power showers, unlimited hot water, not a 50cent coin in sight, heat lamps (we don’t even have a heat lamp at home), warm cosy shower blocks (not one draft),a hair dryer and even individual heated towel rails – what a treat!

Warm and toasty after leaving Ohakune we pop out to see the giant carrot as this is the carrot capital of NZ.

Next we head up the mountain road to the top of Mt Ruapehu – which is covered in snow and still open for winter sports.  Mr M in typical Scottish fashion is undeterred by a little coldness and remains in his all singing and all dancing Scottish shorts!   

I in the meantime am in four layers, new woolly hat and my very cosy merino/possum gloves and still a wee bit chilly and pleased to get back to the cosiness of Betty the campervan.

It is a long drive to Martinborough but we make good time with our usual tea and cake stops and have a very friendly welcome when we get to the Top 10 site in time for Mr M’s kumara curry (N.B. – Not one of his finest moments!)

Mrs M