The Year that Was

Although we are not “live aboards” in our caravan, we nevertheless managed to make quite full use of it during 2011 and travelled 5,366 Km pulling our caravan behind us.  The year started off with us travelling up to Mt Maunganui, Tauranga to attend the five day CCNZ National Rally held over New Year.  We were in no hurry to return home and took a detour to the  Awakeri Motor Camp, Whakatane and their relaxing thermal pools.  Not only are the pools free to campers, but they have free internet as well, so we could “carry on blogging”.  A whole year of monthly caravan club rallies followed.  Late January found us at the Kaitoke Regional Park, Wellington and in February our club hosted the first of the combined rallies at Brookfield Scout Camp, Wainuiomata with members of Wellington and Wairarapa clubs joining us.  From here we started off on our  2 week “Wairarapa Safari” trip, staying at several places quite new to us.  While on this trip we learned of the massive Christchurch earthquake with so many people perishing in collapsed buildings.

We rallied in Greytown in March, (remembered for the wasp nests close to the amenities) and at Poraotawhao School, Levin, for the combined Easter rally run by the Wellington Club.  Luckily the Easter Bunny found us all and came calling bearing Easter Eggs.  The Wairarapa Club hosted the May combined rally in Pahiatua, and Peter and Elaine joined us on an afternoon  trip to the famous Tui Brewery.  At the end of this rally we took the opportunity to continue on to Hastings for a family visit. 

Peter and Robin outside Tui Brewery

June saw us in Foxton, and we rallied in Levin in July for the club AGM, then not too far away in August when we travelled up to Paraparaumu.  September’s rally at Camp Elsdon, Porirua,  was even closer to home, and memorable as the start of Rugby World Cup Fever.  Then in October we joined in with the Wellington Caravan Club’s 60th Anniversary, and we all sat on the edge of our seats as we watched the nail biting final game of the RWC.  Whew!!  The All Blacks won, of course, but many fans didn’t think they would, the game was so close. 

Watching the final game on the edge of our seats

Our club hosted another combined rally at Clareville in November, and we took another trip up to Hastings from here.  The last club rally of the season was a return to Brookfield, Wainuiomata, for our Christmas Rally.  We also joined in with the New Zealand Motor Home Association and attended three of their weekend rallies, in April, June, and the Guy Fawkes rally in November.

Our tow car is a Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series and things don’t always go well mechanically.  The left front wheel bearings collapsed and damaged the axle housing, so these had to be replaced.  As did the fan belts and steering pump belts.  But we do work it hard with so many miles of towing.

Quite a bit of work was done (and money spent) on the caravan over the year.  Our caravan battery capacity was increased with two new batteries installed.  On a more serious note one of the caravan springs snapped and all have been replaced with an up rated version.   And then later in the year our hot water cylinder sprung a leak and we travelled up to the Leisureline factory in Hamilton to get a new cylinder fitted.  Thanks to Leisureline for helping with some of the costs involved.  And not forgetting the caravan toilet which needed a replacement fitting, just wear and tear we expect. 

Broken Spring sitting above the Axle

So that’s been our year of using the caravan.  2012 will no doubt be even busier, as we are planning our “South Island Odyssey” trip, but more about that later.

Camped at Pahiatua