The Best of Winter Days

Sunday 8 June

Now we know that winter really is upon us… frost on Banjo, fog thicker than a pea souper, frozen puddles and frosty leaves all around.

By around 9.30 the bulk of the fog had burned away and we packed up our belongings and headed down the road to The Camp at Lake Hāwea for a night on power at one of our favourite sites.

Lake Hāwea was every bit as lovely as we remembered and we scored two top spots overlooking the lake shore. Took our lunch down to the lake side then chilled for a bit. I went for a wander to scope out the (not so) Secret Sauna and collect kindling & pine cones for the fire pit.

Reception had given us a starter kit for the fire pit but actually two other couples got in first so we went to join them and hung out round their awesome fire for a few hours as the light faded and darkness fell.

It was fascinating chatting with them - two young couples from Tokoroa in the Waikato whose lives revolved round dairy farming and pig hunting. We also met a guy who was living in a Jayco van with his wife and young baby while he worked as chef and a craft brewer. Wow!

Dinner at the Moho - craftily cooked in the campsite oven while we chewed the fat with our newfound friends. Genius!