One week home, and it’s time to travel again – it’s a hard life sometime, being retired. Our destination today was Carrot Country, Ohakune. First stop was Sanson to top up with fuel, and also to buy a couple of “World Famous in Sanson” cream horns from Viv’s Kitchen. The cafe was humming, the tables full of mainly grey haired persons all chomping down on those delicious cream horns. I purchased two for us to enjoy later.
Viv's Kitchen in Sanson
Just where we were parked on the roadside was a set of Memorial Gates, in front of what we presume was an early school building. Must admit we had never noticed them before as we had driven past. The inscription read:
“This fence was erected by the residents of Sanson and districts to the glory of God and in memory of the men who fought and died for their country. The Motherland called, and they went. 1914 – 1918".
WW1 Memorial fence and gates in Sanson
Stopping for a late lunch in Taihape we enjoyed our meal – and those delicious cream horns too, trying not to make a mess with dropping pastry flakes all over everything. It was a great day for travelling, warm autumn sunshine, and coming into Waiouru we caught our first glimpse of Mt Ruapehu. Not quite skiing season, we noted, as the snow on the slopes was practically non existent.
First view of Mt Ruapehu
We turned left at Waiouru onto SH49 and pulled into the Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial. This has been refurbished recently and the names of all those who perished in 1953 have now been inscribed. There was a Benton family who died, we had been told, and Robin was keen to find out more details. They were not close family members, we believe, but still related in some way.
Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial
From here it was only a short drive to Ohakune, the carrot capitol of New Zealand. We drove past paddocks full of harvested carrots, all packed away in wooden crates, ready to be sent to market. The excellent free draining soil and cool climate make ideal conditions for growing crops, and root vegetables in particular.
The Big Carrot of Ohakune
Driving through town we sadly reflected that another of our favourite shops, the Chocolate Eclair Shop, was still closed. Sadly, we were just four weeks too early, and this very popular bakery will reopen in time for the ski season. We are spending the night at the Ohakune Club – off power – so it could well be a cold night. Wonder what the temperature will drop to overnight?
View of the mountain from Ohakune Club
1 comment:
It's good to see that NZ has "Big Things" as well as Australia. I don't know of a big Carrot over here. The mornings are starting to get a little cool here too. There was ice on the windscreen of my car this morning - the first time this year. A sign of things to come.
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