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.