Combined Rally at Carterton

The Wairarapa sunshine came out in force over the weekend.  Off came the woolly winter clothes from the day before, Robin got to wear his shorts again, and we both needed sun hats to keep the glare at bay.  Camping always seems so much happier in the sunshine, don’t you think? 

We were staying at Carterton School for the weekend, and what a lovely school it was, lots of lovely large trees dotted around.  We used the large grassed area behind the classrooms for a few games on Saturday – although I suspect only the keen competitive ones were happy to be out in the hot sun.  The rest of us watched and chatted under the shady trees.  After several games of Petanque and bowls we were all gamed out, and happy to move on to 4zees.

Under the shady trees.

We had the use of the school hall, which was handy for the evenings.  On Saturday evening we gathered together and were initiated into the new to us game of Bingo played with packs of playing cards.  It was easy to see who card players were as they expertly shuffled the deck and dealt out the cards.  We all received a choccie bar for taking part, whether we won or not.  The hall has several sets of colourful patchwork curtains embroidered with the names of pupils, fairly old by the look of them – that was a lot of work for someone to organise and sew them together back in the day.

Curtains in the school hall

During Sunday morning tea the winners were announced for the games.  It just wasn’t our weekend as our Heretaunga Club was firmly trounced by the host club Wairarapa.  But never mind, it was fun.  The next prize was for the Lucky Van, won by our club members Don and Sandra.  Some packed up and left for home, but we stayed on for lunch, making the most of the sunshine.

I had a wander around the school grounds, and came across several veggie gardens planted and cared for the various classrooms.  The school swimming pool was surrounded by a tall iron fence, decorated with gaily painted fish of all kinds, obviously another school project.  And I rather liked the school  sign showing the 3rs of respect, simple rules, but very effective when adhered to.

 

Around the school

Our return journey took us over the Rimutaka Hill, always a bit of a challenge with wind gusts, steep climbs  and lots of corners. 

Featherston side of the Rimutaka Hill road

There was a lot of traffic out and about, and maybe people were just pleased to take a Sunday drive after the week we had with earthquakes, storms, and multiple road closures.  Groups of motor bikers roared past us on the hill, some overtaking us on double yellow lines, to my horror.  We could see where small landslides and rock falls had come down, on the hill road, and along the Kapiti Coast road as well.   Mother Nature does what she wants, and the clean up crews just have to tidy up after her.

Kapiti Island was looking a bit hazy off the coast

Many thanks to the Wairarapa Caravan Club for a great combined rally weekend, we certainly had fun and enjoyed their friendship and hospitality.