It was time to say goodbye to our new friends at the ICA Rally and start heading home. Passing by all sorts of road works on the way. Being Sunday, these rollers were parked up on the road side while the workmen were no doubt having a well earned day off from their labours.
Not working on Sunday
We were taking two days to drive home, stopping the first night at Taupo Airport, always a handy spot to stay. This NZCA Camp is always busy.
Overnighting at Taupo Airport
It was a lovely clear day, with little wind, so the parachutists were out in force. Sitting outside under the shady awning, we heard the small plane take off innumerable times from the adjacent airport, and then the paying customers jumped out overhead. Some strapped in tandem with an instructor, while the more experienced jumped solo.
We are not trying this!
Is it Beer O’clock time yet?
There was a knock on the door in the early evening, and whose this come calling? It was Robin’s former colleague from their time together in New Zealand Post Headquarters, Fred, and his lovely wife Avis. They had seen our names in the sign in book and tracked us down. We had a lovely evening together, reminiscing about old times, holidays taken and future plans, as you do.
It was another gorgeous day for the last leg of our trip home. And here is Mt Ruapehu looking wonderful as we drove along the Desert Road.
Mt Ruapehu
Hard to spot, but we noticed an army vehicle blending into the tussock as we neared Waiouru Army Camp. The rugged terrain and challenging climate makes it an exceptional area for open country training and live firing. There are signs along the way waning the public to keep to the road and not trespass into this area due to military exercises.
Army truck
AS we were making good time, we decided to head on to Hunterville, parking the van at Queen’s Park for our lunch stop. The township was named for George Hunter, who was a member of the Wellington Provincial Council, and is located half way between Taupo and Wellington. This small town honours the Huntaway sheep dog, a dog which barks as it gathers and moves sheep, invaluable when farming in hilly country.
At Hunterville
The last leg of our journey went quickly, and soon we were home, unpacking the van in the scorching weather. It was good to finally sit down when the job was done. We had a great time away – now, when’s the next trip?
1 comment:
That's interesting about the Huntaway dog. We have seen them occasionally at sheep dog trials, but they aren't a very common breed over here.
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