Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Monday 10 March 2014

Homeward Bound

It went like clock work, just like an SAS operation.  He crawled silently through the grass, ducking down below the window so he wouldn’t be spotted, carrying his tools with him.  Reaching his target, he ever so quietly taped something on to the object.  Then crawled back the way he had come.  What was it?  A bomb perhaps?  Surely not, there were innocent people everywhere!

The dastardly plan was revealed when Robin ventured behind our caravan.  “Come and have a look at this, and you had better bring your camera”, he called out.  We recognised that writing straight away.  This was the work of Peter! 

P3080009

It’s not just “any” old pink bucket, you know.  This bucket has appeared on TV, on the Seven Sharp show, while we were up in Hamilton at the Camper Care Show.  In fact, I was hanging onto the handle, when we had our 2 seconds of fame on national TV.  There was only one thing to do, approach the perpetrator and demand justice.  His answer - “that took you a while to find”. 

P3080008Peter – trying to look innocent

Our weekend rally at Bunnythorpe School came to an end on Sunday, without any of the predicted rain.  Some people packed up and went after morning tea, but we weren’t in too much of a hurry and stayed on to have lunch with some other like minded campers outside in the sunshine.  Then it was a matter of hitching up the car, winding up the legs of the caravan, and driving off to find the local dump station. 

P3090011 At the dump station

The 63km drive home was uneventful until we came across an accident at the crossroads.  Obviously one of the cars didn’t stop when they should have, resulting in the accident.  With 100km speed limit on these roads, no wonder the cars were so damaged.  We eased our way around the car in the middle of the road, and carefully crossed the intersection.  Several other cars had already stopped to help,  people were standing around talking on their cell phones, and the situation seemed well in hand, so we didn’t think they needed us as well, towing a caravan behind us.    Police cars and an ambulance came hurtling along the road, sirens blaring, so help was almost there.  It is always sobering to come across an accident, and makes you wonder - what if? 

We drove a total of 1184kms on our holiday to Hamilton and back.  Stayed at places we had never been to, and travelled on roads previously unexplored.  The highlight of the trip would have to be attending the huge Camper Care Motorhome and Caravan Show, admiring all those shiny new rigs on display.  On reflection, we decided that what we are towing is perfectly comfortable and adequate for our needs, so no, we didn’t sign up for a new caravan after all. That's not to say we wouldn't have liked one, if money was no object!

Hamilton Safari 2014

The map above shows the extent of our travels and the only piece of road we travelled on twice was State Highway 1 between Waiouru and Marton. If anyone has ever wondered why you consume so much fuel getting to Waiouru, I noted the from Ohakune to Fielding we had dropped from 800 odd metres above sea level to approx 120 metres, so going the other way is all uphill!

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