Day two, had no bell, ate lots of food

We awoke to this view on Monday morning (aka Laura's birthday). This is a view across our back yard with Mt Ruapehu sat above the trees.This is the view from our front garden looking westwards to Mt. Taranaki.
And here's the birthday girl.
Pancakes were the order of the day- fred was the main chef, but as you see below i did attempt (successfully i may add) to flip a few of my own. Twas a very enjoyable relaxing morning.Look how we are enjoying ourselves and are very relaxed.
Laura even had some special visitors to wish her a happy birthday.
There were only two showers between 9 of us so here I am sat in the swing seat awaiting my turn. I loved that seat.

This is a view that might bring back memories for Sally (N) as it shows Mt.s Nugurahoe and Tongariro, taken on our drive to the ski fields.
The five skiiers decided to opt for the beginners package which included ski hire, a lesson, a happy valley pass (happy valley being the beginners area), and a sightseeing pass to the top of the chairlifts. As we'd taken our time getting there, we took our sightseeing trip first so that we only had to pay half day prices on our clothing rental. Here you see us girls as far up the mountain as we could go. It was stunning, and such a glorious day for it.
This is the five of us towards the end of our lesson at the top of the happy valley run. I must say we all look ace.
We headed home to get showered and changed for our meal at the Powderhorn and managed to witness this amazing sunset before we headed out. These are two of my favourite pics I've taken in a while, the bottom one especially.

The meal was stunning - I had lamb and I know this will shock you Sally, but it certainly gave the brewery a run for its money. mmmmm. I was designated driver and so go to have a go in Bazzacakka, taking him for a wee test run first to get a cake for Laura with Fred and Rhys. Unfortunately we just missed the supermarket, and so had to go into a cafe and ask for a whole cake (luckily there was still one with no pieces taken out), I think the staff found it quite amusing. It was good cake. We went back to the cabin to enjoy that and some more drinks and thus ended a day enjoyed by one and all. xxxx