Sunny Hastings has not lived up to it’s reputation while we have been staying here the last few days. It’s been rain, rain, and even more rain. We didn’t get away today as early as we had hoped. Robin hooked up the caravan for our return trip home, went to pay our fees, and our POP hosts Roger and Caroline invited us inside their big bus for a coffee. You know how it goes, you chat about this and that, about people you both know, and about trips you have done. Before we knew it, it was almost lunch time. Saying our goodbyes, we headed off in the rain to the dump station, on to fill up with fuel, then we were finally ready for the return trip home. The rain kept coming down, there was water all over the paddocks, and the rivers were running high.
Crossing over the flooded river into Waipukarau
All this incessant rain has no doubt caused slips all over the place. Luckily this was just a small one and with one lane closed we drove slowly past as the workmen prepared to clear the road.
Road maintenance at work
We stopped for a late lunch at Woodville, something that we could take with us and eat on the road. We chose pork and kumara pies which were delicious, we will certainly go back to that bakery again. The car and caravan was parked on a back street while we found our tasty lunch, and noticed a goat tethered on an overgrown section watching us intently. If he thought he would get a taste of our pies, he was sadly mistaken.
The Woodville goat
The barrier arms were down and the warning lights were flashing as we waited for the train to cross over SH2. No passengers or freight on this train, it was a track maintenance unit.
Stop for the train
After a brief dry spell, the rain came down again, and the wind got up. We can cope with the rain, but it wasn’t easy driving with the wind buffeting the caravan around.
Down comes the rain
Perhaps we will break our journey and not drive all the way home tonight? Robin was getting tired and it doesn’t really matter if we take a little longer on the return trip home. Decision made, we pulled into Carterton Holiday Park in the late afternoon. Our friendly hosts Pete and Di welcomed us into the camp, and we were soon set up. Time for a cuppa, and a bit of R & R. We’ll finish our journey home tomorrow.
Overnighting at Carterton
No comments:
Post a Comment