Long Weekend at Shannon

Just before we departed Marton on Friday morning, there was a tap at the door and our neighbours popped in to say hello.  They recognised our name from the NZ Motor Home Forum.  Sadly, their names went in one ear and out the other, sorry about that, blame old age.  I was fascinated to discover that the husband has gypsy lineage several generations back, just like me – perhaps we are related?  It was lovely to meet them, and chat about camping adventures.

Driving through Bulls, there are lifelike statues of big black bulls standing here and there.  Tourists traveling through this small town must get a real fright when they catch a glimpse of these creatures out of the corner of their eye.  Look – there’s one creeping out between those two shops.

One of the black bulls at Bulls

We had a lunch stop at Viv’s Kitchen, home of the world famous Cream Horns.  Not an easy thing to eat with any decorum, but we did our best.

Cream Horns at Viv’s Kitchen

Our destination was Shannon School for a three day caravan club rally.  But being a school day we couldn’t enter the grounds till 4.00pm, so we had a bit of R&R in a park, reading, relaxing and maybe a little snooze.  Seven vans attended, with one van making an epic journey to join us.  With SHI closed for some hours due to a truck tipping over and spilling toxic substance all over the road, the only alternative route was to travel over the Paekakariki Hill.   Don and Pamela were not thwarted by this difficult route, and bravely towed their van up and over the Hill to join us.  Not something we would like to do, at all.  

Shannon School

Early birds on site

Staying at sleepy little Shannon for a three day weekend would not necessarily be the place to spring to mind, but like most little towns, there is always a lot to see once you scratch the surface.  Shannon was named after Major G V Shannon, a director of the Manawatu Railway Co and began as a camp for railway construction workers in 1885, with the settlement growing rapidly.  The first North Island Dam and Hydro Electric Power Station was constructed in 1924 at Mangahao in the foothills east of the township and employed a staggering 700 workers – we certainly didn’t know that.  The historic Railway Station Museum tells the story of the area and is well worth a visit.

The old Shannon Post Office – just one of the lovely old buildings in the main road

Dot and Derek were our rally family for the weekend, and had organised several things to keep us occupied.  Like this Sunday competition, where we walked up and down the main street  to identify the locations of twenty photos.  The locals must have wondered what on earth all these grey haired people were doing.  Several managed to complete the task, but four locations eluded us.

Where in Shannon are these?

Just as well they had also arranged a stop for afternoon tea at the local Horseman Café – we all really needed to rehydrate and have a little sit down after all that exercise.

Time for Afternoon Tea

Lorraine had baked a chocolate cake especially for Geoff who had helped her recently with her caravan.  Sadly Geoff and Eileen could not attend this rally, so we helped to eat the cake.  Don’t worry Geoff – Lorraine promised to make you another one sometime soon.

Home made chocolate cake

It was a lovely weekend away, which we had incorporated into the final days of  our trip to Hamilton and New Plymouth.  It’s always great to catch up with our caravan friends again.