Featherston to Kahutara

Originally named Burlings in the 1840s after an early pioneer, the town was renamed Featherston in 1854.  Dr Isaac Featherston was the first provincial superintendent of Wellington.  It has retained the look of the early years  with most of the main street frontage being rather vintage indeed,  with the town’s Information Centre now housed in the historic court house.  During WW1 Featherston was the site of New Zealand’s largest military camp.  (Read our earlier blog about the camp here).  An imposing WW1 Memorial stands on the corners of Fox and Fitzherbert Streets, constructed from stones from the nearby Tauherenikau River.

Impressive war memorial at Featherston

However, it is not all things old in Featherston, there is a new addition to the main road of town.  “Wind Grass” a carbon fibre sculpture, designed by Kon Dimopoulos, was erected in 2012, and the bright yellow grasses tipped in brown  rattle and shake  in the ever present Featherston wind.

Wind Grass, designed by Kon Dimopoulos

We took a trip into Carterton on Friday morning to buy some plums for jam, but sadly the season was over and the orchard was closed for sales.  So we had a change of plan and travelled on to Parkvale Mushrooms factory instead. 

 

There the procrastination kicked in.  Should I buy a box of button musrooms, or maybe a box of large flat mushrooms?  Purchasing a mixed box was the answer.  We have enjoyed some of the large ones cooked on the BBQ, with mushrooms on toast in a creamy sauce planned for breakfast, and with so many mushrooms still left in the box, I can see a pot of mushroom soup on the agenda when we return back home.

Mixed box of Parkvale mushrooms.

After lunch and a visit to the dump station, we headed off the short distance to Kahutara School, where we were staying for a Combined Rally hosted by the Wairarapa Caravan Club.  As it was a school day, we were asked to  arrive after 4.00pm to allow time for the children and parents to clear the school. 

On site at Kahutara School

With 12 vans on site it promises to be a great weekend.  There are 6 vans from our club, Heretaunga, 5 from the host club, Wairarapa, and one visitor from the Wainuiomata club.  We hope for a nice fun Wairarapa weekend – remembering a previous rally at this school when it blew a gale, so much so that the gas pilot lights on our fridges kept blowing out!