Entertaining Times at Eketahuna

There we were, camped in isolated splendour, enjoying the peaceful surroundings at Eketahuna Camping Ground.  It didn’t last too long, as one after another, other vehicles rolled into camp.  First up was a piggy back camper with a difference.  The “Bigfoot” van body was attached to a double cab Mitsubishi 4x4 truck body.  Another small camper soon parked up in the same area and were invited to check out their larger neighbour.  We watched in amazement as everyone climbed up a large step ladder to get into the 5th wheeler – obviously the only way in and out of the van, other than through the cab doors.  Too bad if an earthquake struck while you were negotiating that ladder!

In and out using a step ladder

Next to arrive was a Japanese couple in a rental motor-home who obviously could not read the “Keep off the Grass”sign.  They  drove on to the grass alongside our caravan and the wheels sunk lower and lower into the mud.  Oh dear!  The husband could speak very little English and didn’t know what to do.  Luckily his wife had a much better command of English and climbed behind the wheel.  With Robin and the camp manager guiding, she was instructed to start the engine, put it into reverse, back out off the grass, and for goodness sake, don’t stop at all till she reached the hard standing.  To her credit, she did very well, and the motor-home was soon hooked up on a nice dry site.

Backing off the wet soft grass as instructed

Robin looked out the window as a familiar looking motor-home drove in.  “That’s Stu”, he announced, as he went outside to say hello.  Stu and Robin were truck drivers at Toops for the final years of their working lives.  Stu and Dawn travel with their dog and cat, and parked up behind us on the asphalt.  We had a good catch-up after our evening meal, going over old times.

We’re not on our own any more in camp

Stu was in the dog house when he ran out of gas overnight.  That’s something else he didn’t check before leaving home, I heard him mutter.  (At his age, he should know better).  Never mind, he can get his gas bottle topped up today when they continue on their trip.

The gas bottle is empty

We had quite an entertaining time with all these antics in camp.  Locals walk down with their dogs, people ride by on bikes, and we noticed several cars driving down to the river in the dark – goodness knows what they had on their minds.  There is always something happening when you’re camping.