Hello, Mrs Brown

We spent a hilarious morning at the local movie theatre yesterday watching “Mrs Brown’s Boys, D’Movie”.  The film sees Agnes Brown go to court to protect her family's stall at Dublin's Moore Street market from a wicked Russian businessman who wishes to convert it into a shopping centre.  These market stalls have been handed down from mother to daughter for generations and have been slowly picked off by making stall holders offers they cannot refuse.  Mrs Brown’s stall is the next to be targeted, and she is sent a huge  bill for unpaid tax left by her grandmother.

Three Russian thugs do their best to intimidate the indomitable Mrs Brown and her family.  But there is a group of blind Ninja Warriors out to help her, and Grand-dad calls in his old army mates to lend a hand.  And seeing Rory in his man-kini was a sight to behold!  After a car chase through the city, Buster rides to the rescue on horseback clutching the missing piece of evidence to save the day.

All good fun, in the very best of Mrs Brown’s style.  I have to admit I didn’t really like her much when she first appeared on TV, but quickly got hooked on the humour.  Good on you, Mrs Brown, great to see the little people winning against those nasty rich developers who wanted to wipe out some of the city’s history.  If you are a fan of Mrs Brown’s Boys, you will certainly enjoy this.  The theatre was full to bursting, so much that we had to sit in the very front row.

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We know we are getting Older when…..

Oh dear – we know we are getting older when the two speakers invited to our 60s Up meeting came to talk about Diabetes and Alzheimers!

The diabetes speaker went first.  Who has been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, she wanted to know, and quite a few hands were raised.  The complications from diabetes are many and quite severe, including depression, and we felt a little depressed just hearing about them all.  As with most health issues, the message of exercise, weight control and healthy eating is stressed, and Diabetes New Zealand offer a huge amount of support, as does the Ministry of Health.  Over 225,000 New Zealanders have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and every day 50 more people are diagnosed with diabetes - is an epidemic in this country.

Ann Wright, Diabetes speaker, offering helpful brochures

We joked between ourselves, wondering if the Alzheimers speaker would remember to come!  Luckily she did, and gave us a very interesting talk on Alzheimers, Dementia and memory loss.  There are lots of causes of memory problems, she stressed, so anyone worrying should get checked out by the doctor.  Donna stressed that anything which impacts on your heart, such as those old bogeys of smoking, alcohol and being over-weight, can also impact on dementia. Keep the brain active, keep learning new things, and keep active, was her advice.  Sadly, the older we get, the higher the risk.  And that old wives tale of the having our family meals in earlier years cooked in aluminium pots causing Alzheimers  has never been proven, she reassured us.  That’s a relief, they were the only pots our family had when we were growing up.

Feeling really over the hill and not far away from the scrap heap, we made our way home.  But the sight of the snow capped Tararua Ranges glistening in the wintery sunshine can always lift our spirits and cheer us up. 

Snow on the Tararua Ranges

Back home, our beautiful Birman Muffy was curled up fast asleep and didn't even hear us return.  Sadly, she has been diagnosed with Senile Vocalisation, a pussy cat version of forgetfulness and occasional confusion, and sometimes roams around the house getting lost. All we can do is keep her feeling happy, secure and loved in her twilight years.  

Chocolate for Afters

It was a matter of chocolate for afters in the afternoon of our SLG outing.  We had already seen how bread is made the old fashioned way in a small bakery, and enjoyed our our lunch at Breakers.  John had organised a visit to “The Most Amazing Chocolate Factory” in Paraparaumu.

  Step through these doors for some chocolate

Locals with long memories will recall that this business used to be known as Nyco Chocolates.  And we can remember when the factory was first established over the hill in Featherston.  Lenora Nysse was quite keen to make chocolates after her husband returned from an overseas trip with some chocolate moulds for her.  Nyco Chocolates was established in 1981 and went from strength to strength.  Son Steven joined the company in 1985 and sales grew so quickly they outgrew their premises.  It was time to expand, the factory relocated to Paraparaumu in 1992.  Today, Nyco Chocolates exports its chocolate products to Japan, Singapore, Australia, Middle East and Pacific Islands.  They also specialise in private label chocolates for businesses and weddings, and manufacture the chocolately treats which go into commercial ice cream and baking products. 

Our group was there to take a tour through the factory.  But first things first, we had to follow procedures and cover our hair.  In Robin’s case, that meant his beard too.

All ready for the chocolate tour

A seemingly never ending stream of warm white chocolate gurgled away in the machine and our the tour guide demonstrated filling the moulds  to make the chocolate cups.

Under the chocolate fountain

These can be filled with all sorts of goodies, topped up with chocolate again, and popped into the refrigeration unit to set.  In this case, jelly beans were added into each cup.

Jelly Bean choccies

The large moulds, such as hollow Easter Eggs or Rabbits, had chocolate added then they were placed on a spinner.  This ensured that the chocolate got into every little nook and cranny.

 

Two halves of an Easter Egg

We were offered tastings as the processes were explained.  Then it was through the factory doors again we were let loose in the retail shop.  Now, what to choose?  The sign said if we buy three bags it works out cheaper!  One bag of peppermint  chocolates, one of  hokey pokey, and the last bag had manuka honey in the filling.   That should keep us going for a while.

All these goodies for sale

Then it was back to John and Jan’s home for afternoon tea, and yet another natter, and put our feet up for a while before heading off to our respective homes..  It was a great day out, thanks to John for organising it for our SLG friends. 

Bread – the Staff of Life

Our SLG friends have been meeting once a month for over 20 years now for trips and outings and we have been to an awful lot of places in this time.  John organised yesterday’s outing and surprised us all by taking us to a place none of us even knew existed.  We played “follow the leader” in our cars and all pulled up into a car park in an industrial area of Paraparaumu.  Where we we going, we wondered – hope it is not to that gym we can see, our middle aged bodies wouldn’t look too good in lycra!  But no, our visit was to Paraoa Bakehouse, the home of Purebread.

Paraoa Bakehouse

The factory owner, Robert Glensor, is passionate about his products, and makes bread the old fashioned way using bulk fermentation and organic ingredients.  From the very beginning organic was at the heart of this little bakery and Purebread proudly became New Zealand's first Bio-Gro certified organic bread.  Purebread utilises age old ‘slow’ production process, sourdough starters or fermentation methods.  This allows the natural enzymes to get working, breaking down the complex carbohydrates, which ensures easier digestion.  He believes that much of the gluten intolerance many are experiencing is partly caused by the ‘modern’ and very fast methods of bread baking, making the bread less digestible, damaging the gut causing the sensitivity.  Robert related the history of his company, and showed us around the factory as the various bread products were being mixed, cooked, and packaged. 

Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread

We had a peek in the store room where the organic flour imported from Australia is stored.  The company buys products from some of New Zealand’s best known organic food producers, helping to support the local industry and produce the healthiest and most nutritious foods for everyone, such as the big drums of Oxford honey we saw, and many other ingredients necessary in the art of bread making.

After our tour we tasted some hot buttered toast, spread with another of Robert’s products, delicious peanut butter.  Yum, it may be an ever so humble snack, but we couldn’t help ourselves and it all went in a flash.

SLG friends in the factory with one of the workers

As a firm believer in sustainability, nothing is wasted.  The factory turns extra bread into breadcrumbs, and donates leftover bread to food banks.  There is no shop on the premises, but Purebread is available at selected shops, or can be purchased on-line.  We will certainly be buying some – it may be a little more expensive, but it is made by hand and no one ever regretted buying quality.

After our morning bakery visit, it was time for lunch.  Where to, John? we wanted to know.  Round a few corners we drove to arrive at Breakers Cafe and Bar.  With good value $12 lunch deals available, there was something for everyone.  Robin chose beef snitzel and chips, and my choice was fish pie and salad, both nice and tasty. 

$12 lunch deals

So that is the morning over, wonder what John has in store for us after lunch?  We will have to wait and see.

Misty Morning

Yesterday we awoke to a strange sight.  Mist covered our village so much that we could hardly see down the road.  How weird - it's never been like this before in the 15 months or so we have lived here.  Camera in hand, I went for a walk to investigate.

And there's our house, surrounded by swirling mist.  It’s like living on the Yorkshire Moors.  Anyone seen Heathcliffe?

Heading Home

The weather wasn’t too great for our weekend rally at Masterton, wet and drizzly and very slushy underfoot.  There was no sunshine to sit out and enjoy on this rally.  But we can’t complain, it is winter, after all, and luckily there was no cold wind to drop the temperature down dramatically.  After our Sunday morning tea, it was time to pack up, say our goodbyes, and get on the road again.  Some were heading north, two couples decided to have an extra night away, and the rest of us trundled off to our respective homes.  But first, we had to attend to the all important visit to the dump station, nice and handy in the camp grounds.

Emptying the waste water is men’s work

Our trip home took us north up SH2, driving past Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre and Eketahuna, up to Pahiatua.  We turned off at Pahiatua and drove over the attractive concrete “bowstring arch” bridge.  The bridge contract was let to Fletcher Construction Company in May 1931, and was completed for  £14,000.  Bridge construction was an unusual move for Fletcher Construction Company, but the company saw bridge building as an opportunity to keep its concrete-based workforce employed during the Great Depression.   With state subsidies for roading projects  on offer, it was a sensible way to keep the business afloat during these difficult years. The Pahiatua Town Bridge is now listed as “Historic Place Category 1”.

Pahiatua Town Bridge

Up and over the Pahiatua Track we drove, with rain following us most of the way.  Although called a track, this is in fact a real road, no trouble at all, even when towing a caravan.  The Track is an alternative route instead of driving through the Manawatu Gorge.  Getting close to home we noticed misty clouds hanging low in the foothills.

Nearly home now

We quickly unpacked the caravan in the rain and settled down for a late lunch.  Our house was a bit chilly after being left empty over the weekend, but the heat pump soon took care of that.    With a warming bowl of soup for lunch, we soon feeling nice and cosy.  Then it was back to the caravan for a quick clean and vacuum – there, all spic and span for next time.  

Mawley Holiday Park, Masterton

Mawley Holiday Park is nestled in a sheltered, peaceful park-like setting on the banks of the Waipoua River.  Fully-refurbished in 2012, Mawley Holiday Park offers campers like us powered caravan sites, and modern ablution blocks with en-suite shower, toilet and hand basin in each unit.  And the park is just a short walk away from the beautiful QEII Park, with it’s adventure playground, heated indoor and outdoor pool complex with hydro-slide, skate park, museums, and mini golf.

Lovely setting at the caravan park

This is our AGM Rally, and although a little robust at times, the AGM went off without a hitch.  The new committee is a mixture of old and new, with some committee members staying on for another term, with a couple of newer members voted in too.  They will all work together to ensure another year of caravan club rallies at interesting sites.  President Derek welcomed two new members into the club, it’s great to have you, Sandy and Bea.

New members Sandy and Bea, with Derek

With the AGM done and dusted, some went off to visit the shops, while others stayed around camp visiting with fellow members. Now what is this group doing?  Looks like they are having a secret meeting all  squashed inside Selwyn and Kath’s new porch awning.  I’ve no idea what it was all about, as they didn’t invite me to the meeting!

Secret meeting under the awning

The all important 4zees took place at, you’ve guessed it, 4pm.  We had a visit from Harry, a member of the Wairarapa Caravan Club, who popped in to welcome us to his little patch of paradise, and catch up with our news.  Later on some went out for the evening meal, some stayed back in camp and self catered, and we all got together in the evening.  We are fortunate to have the use of the TV room for our AGM meeting and to socialise in  the evenings.

Feeling the Cold in Eketahuna

We can look forward to a really chilly night here in Eketahuna, if the afternoon temperatures are anything to go by.  We are only stopping overnight, en route to our weekend caravan rally to be held in Masterton.  Here we are parked up on the hard, so we are not exiting the van onto the wet grass.  It didn’t take too long to get the  wind up TV aerial pointing in the right direction, so we have good reception.  With the heater going flat out, we sat down and enjoyed our lunch in solitary splendour.  Except for a couple of permanents, we are parked up alone while we wait for our travelling companions to join us.

  All alone in Ekatahuna

Our original plan was to park on the lawn.  But Eketahuna must have had more than it’s fair share of rain, as these sites were all muddy and slushy.  “Keep off the Grass”, the sign warned.  It must be very boggy underfoot, soft enough for caravan wheels to sink in and get stuck, no doubt

.

Too wet for these power sites on the grass to be used

We spotted a car and caravan driving down the steep entrance road  to the camp mid afternoon – Geoff and Eileen had arrived.   With a little help from Robin guiding them, they were soon parked up where they wanted to be.  So now there are two of us.  The afternoon was spent chatting, drinking coffee, and watching the rain set in.   We didn’t even get around to having 4zees – that must be a first!  Then we headed back to our own van to organise the evening meal.

No longer alone

It’s almost time to switch the electric blanket on to warm up the bed, and with the heater still going we should be nice and toasty tonight.  Not like the tourist couple from Belgium who arrived at the camp a while ago.  They are going to sleep in their car tonight, they told us.   With the rain and cold overnight temperatures, it could well be a very cold and uncomfortable night for them, we expect.  Perhaps we will give them a passing thought when we are tucked up warm and cozy in our bed.

A Command Performance

Our new caravan still needed a few more hooks and things put in place, so that was the job for the morning.  Robin gathered his collection of handy  “Command”  hooks and sticky bits to put on the back of things, and we trotted out to the caravan.  He particularly likes to use this brand, and the hooks can be removed later if needs be without damaging the walls.  He was doing the actual work, but I was supervising.  You know what it is like - "a bit further too the right, no, a bit lower", and that sort of thing.  First to go up was our wooden sign on the pelmet  inside our doorway.   Just in case we forget our caravan's name.  This sign was rescued from our previous caravan and was quite difficult to remove.  Hence using Command adhesive strips today – rather like Velcro strips for those who haven’t came across them before.

Name in place above the door, close by another kiwi, this one by our new fangled tank monitor

 

Robin was then under instruction to put a couple of hooks here and there so that I have somewhere to hang some necessary bits and pieces.  Then most importantly, the new smoke alarm had to be put in place.  The packaging clearly states that it is “toast proof”, but we will reserve judgement until it has been extensively tested.

There’s not a lot of room in the caravan, so Robin placed down towards the bedroom end.  Let’s hope it is far enough away from that pesky toaster!

Just about here will do, he thinks

That’s another couple of jobs ticked off the list – all set for our next trip away.

No Longer Nameless

After weeks of being “nameless”, our new Leisureline is now sporting some new Romany Rambler signage.    Jamie from Parsons Signs called around today to put the new signs in place.  First we had to choose the colour, no problem there, it had to be burgundy, she who knows these things declared.  Then decide on the script.  These sort of signs are all computer generated these days.

The sign on the back went on first.  Jamie brought his own ladder to provide him with some much needed height, and got to work with his pencil and ruler to make sure the sign was centred correctly.  He smoothed it in place, then peeled the backing paper off, and finally gave it another rub down to dislodge any small air bubbles.

The sign at the rear of the caravan

Robin had decided that while we were ordering the signage,  he would quite like a name put on the spare wheel cover too.  This was a bit different, and was  made white to contrast with the black vinyl of the spare wheel cover.  That one looks good too.

Spare wheel cover at back

Then the final sign went on the front of the caravan.  The whole thing didn’t take very long at all, and we can recommend Parsons Signs for doing an excellent job.

Last one going up

There we are – all nicely named, and ready for the next trip away.  Do give us a friendly wave if you pass us on the road.

Hastings, Norsewood and Home

The apple orchard where we have been staying the last few days in definitely in winter mode, with the the bare branches of the trees looking stark against the clear blue sky.   Most of the apples have long been gathered and sent away, but there are plenty of windfalls under the trees.  A posse of pigs munching through all those windfalls wouldn’t look out of place, it’s a shame the fruit is all going to waste.  Hastings is often called “The Fruit Bowl of New Zealand”, and we can certainly see why with so many orchards everywhere.

  

The last few boxes of apples

After a leisurely morning chatting to Frederick and putting the world to rights, it was time to pack up.   With a cheery wave, Frederick climbed aboard his bus Fredrock Cafe, and set off for his next adventure.  We topped up with water before we departed, the filtered bore water  on site is too good to miss, Robin said.  Then it was time to hit the road on our journey home.

Topping up the water tank

We stopped for a late lunch at Norsewood, a town of two halves.  The re-alignment of SH2 in 1966 divided Norsewood into the "Upper" and "Lower" halves. Now travellers only see signs and the bridge joining the two halves as they whizz on by.  We made the decision to turn off the busy road to stop a while and eat our lunch in  Upper Norsewood.  Norsewood is located in the heart of what was once the dense and towering forest known as the Seventy Mile Bush. The town was established in 1872, with the arrival of over 700 Norwegians, Swedes and  Danes, who became Norsewood's pioneer settlers. The New Zealand Government had promised to employ these immigrants on various Public Works, such as building roads and railways through the district. However, things did not always go according to plan - especially when the country descended into economic depression around 1880.

Today’s sleepy little village is still very proud of it’s Scandinavian history.  The “Bindalsfaering” fishing boat on display was a gift from the Norwegian Government to commemorate the centenary of Norsewood in 1972.

Norwegian fishing boat

Norsewood celebrates its Scandinavian heritage with trolls, mythological creatures which are said to populate the northern-hemisphere homeland.   A family group of carved wooden trolls stand guard in the main street, father Norvirke, mother Margit and their son Ormvah.   And they are not the only trolls in town.  Seems that there are plenty more trolls hiding under bridges or up trees, just waiting to be discovered.

A family of Trolls

Lunch over, and  trolls photographed, we left sleepy little Norsewood behind and re-joined busy SH2 once more.  We retraced our route back through the Manawatu Gorge, arriving home in the late afternoon.  Unpacked the caravan, which never seems to take as long as when we are packing up to go away.  We acquired a great selection of Hastings produce on this trip,  honey, big bags of apples, mandarins and lemons, two sorts of delicious cheese, and not forgetting my matching pair of lovely orange pumpkins.  With pumpkin soup to make, and maybe a few pots of lemon honey to cook up, it looks like I’ll be busy in the kitchen for a while.

Sunday in Hastings

The local Farmers Market is the only place to be on a Sunday morning in Hastings.  But not till after Robin had cooked our customary Sunday bacon and eggs for breakfast.  This was slightly delayed when he ran out of gas part way through and had to change the gas bottle.  With the bottle replaced, it was full steam ahead with cooking our breakfast.

The Farmers Market at the Show Grounds was full of people eager to pick up a bargain or two.  During the winter months the market is held inside the large Exhibition Hall.  We walked around the various stalls, tasting this and that, before making up our minds what we really wanted to buy.  Some money changed hands at the cheese stall, just loved the flavour of the delicious herb and garlic cheese.  And we couldn’t leave the market without purchasing some lovely fresh locally grown  mandarins and apples. 

Inside the market hall

We called in to see the rellies for a cuppa and a bit of a chat, to see how they were after the previous day’s birthday celebration.  Driving back to the apple orchard, we drove down historic Oak Avenue.  In all the years we have visited Hastings, we never knew about this lovely road planted with huge oak trees.  Planted in the 1860s as a driveway to one of Hastings original homesteads, this mile long avenue of glorious oak trees must have been a most impressive drive up to a grand house. 

Oak Avenue

Then it was back to the apple orchard for a late lunch, which we enjoyed outside under the awning.  It has been such wonderful weather up here at Hastings so we decided that Muffy needed to join us outside and get a breath of fresh air too.  But she wasn’t having any of that, and sat on the doorstep meowing plaintively until we opened the door and let her hop inside again.  She doesn’t like going outside much at all these days.   Her idea of a good time is curling up on the couch and having a nice long snooze.

Let me back inside

Fellow blogger Frederick who writes his blog Travels in Retirement was calling around to visit us at our Pop in the apple orchard in the afternoon.  Then he decided he might as well stay here for a night or two.  We had a good chat catching up with each other’s news, where we had stayed recently, and our travel plans for the future.  Frederick is one of those tramping, mountain biking  and kayaking sort of guys, and enjoys his outdoor adventures as he travels around.  It was nice to meet up with him again.

Frederick and Robin enjoying the fresh air

A day with the Rellies

The expected frost didn’t happen in Hastings overnight  – although it was chilly in the caravan during the evening.  But nothing that the heater and electric blanket couldn’t handle.  We awoke to a pretty sunrise showing up against the bare apple trees.  It was going to be a good day.

Sunrise in the apple orchard

We had a busy day planned.  First was a visit to Arataki Honey at Havelock North, for Robin to replenish his honey supply.  With one of his empty pots filled with Manuka honey, pricey but oh so delicious, and the other filled with clover, Robin was a happy honey connoisseur indeed.  He was really after a pot of Rewarewa honey too, but sadly that wasn’t available this time.

Filling the empty honey pots

Arataki Hawke's Bay, located at the original site in Arataki Road, Havelock North, was started in the 1940s and is still is managed by members of the original family.  The company employs 40 employees working in beekeeping, processing, administration, tourism and retailing.  The large attractive Visitor’s Centre is free to look through, and is full of interesting displays, and a very busy tasting area.  It is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, all after some of that delicious honey.

Photo taken at Arataki Visitors Centre

Then it was time to visit the rellies.  We had travelled up to Hastings to attend my sister Kathleen’s 70th birthday.  With family and friends invited around for a birthday lunch there were lots of gifts to open. Various family members had travelled to be with Kathleen, including a couple of cousins I  only seem to catch up with at funerals.

Happy 70th Birthday, Kathleen

Three sisters, Jenny, birthday girl Kathleen, and Karla

We enjoyed a lovely lunch, spent time chatting to the guests, munched a chocolate éclair or two, and had lots of family photos taken.  Not forgetting reminiscing of days gone by, and about family members no longer with us.  As I said to Kathleen during the day, there was only one thing wrong with her turning 70 this year.  With only 15 months between us two sisters, it will be my turn to celebrate turning 70 next year!   It might not be so bad if I get a big birthday  balloon too.

On the road to Hastings

It was a perfect day for travelling, fine and sunny, and no noticeable wind to push the caravan around on the road.  Even the (dreaded) Manawatu Gorge caused no problems, with plenty of big, and then bigger again,  trucks hurtling around the corners at speed towards us.  We hope that these large vehicles keep to their own side of the road and don’t stray over the centre line.  I always breathe a sigh of relief once we are safely  through this stretch of road.  The kms slipped away under our wheels as we drove merrily along.  The Ruahine Ranges looked as pretty as a picture with a light dusting of snow covering the tops of the peaks, with cows grazing contentedly in the paddocks.

Snow capped  Ruahine Ranges

A bit further up the road we came to an abrupt stop behind a line of cars and trucks.  More cows – these ones were  being herded briskly along the busy road.  Then they were turned right and trotted happily up the farm race with visions of fresh pastures to tempt them.  Guess the cows don’t like being on the busy road any more than the motorists like finding them there.

Moving stock on the busy road

After all this excitement, we continued on our way, with a stop at the Waipukurau Station car-park for lunch.  My goodness, this was a chilly place, the wind must have been blowing straight off the snow on the mountains.  After lunch, I spotted a real bargain over the road at the veggie shop, and returned to the caravan with two nice big orange pumpkins for just $1 each - should get plenty of pumpkin soup out of my bargain buy.

Lunch at Waipukurau

We hadn’t travelled very far when we came across a traffic car parked on the side of the road,  red and blue lights  flashing.  Just as well the car was parked there to warn oncoming traffic, as just around the corner the traffic in front of us had come to a abrupt stop.  Seems that someone had been travelling around the corner too fast and the car had ended nose up on a bank.  Police and an ambulance were in attendance, so we hope that the injuries were not too severe. 

Then it was just another 30km or so till we arrived at Hastings, our stop for the next three nights.  We are return customers at a POP situated in an apple orchard, a lovely place to stay with power and good facilities.  Robin decided to try out our Cvana sun awning – it’s quite easy to open up.  We made the most of the glorious winter weather and sat outside for a while enjoying a cup of coffee.  This is a lovely peaceful place to stay at.

Easy to open sun awning

The caretaker’s pretty fluffy cat must have known we had a cat inside our van and  came over to have a look.  She has certainly grown, we remember on our last visit when she was just a tiny playful kitten.  She lay down outside our caravan door and waited patiently for Muffy to appear.  But  she was disappointed - our cat is quite an old girl now, and prefers to  keep herself to herself, safely tucked up inside.

Muffy won’t come and play