Rivendell – Home of the Elves

Last weekend when we were camping at Kaitoke Regional Park we went for a walk around Rivendell.  This area was used by Peter Jackson when he was shooting his Lord of the Rings series.  These days, it is a pretty little walk through the bush and down to the river, with plenty of information panels to tell the story of the filming.

On the way to Rivendell

There were plenty of information to read as we slowly walked around the area.

Information panels about the filming

The native bush is beautiful here, and smelt so fresh after the rainfall.  You could almost imagine the elves hiding behind the trees.

The Archway is dedicated to all fans of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  Although similar in style to the one seen in the film, this version is half size.  It was built as a reminder of the movie set removed after the filming was completed.

The Archway, dedicated to fans

From here, Frodo and the Fellowship walked through the arch to begin their quest on the way to Mordor.  “Do we go left or right?” he asked Gandalf.

This is such a mystical place, no wonder tour buses full of fans still come in their droves to soak up the atmosphere.

Weekend at Kaitoke

We have enjoyed the long three day Labour Weekend at Kaitoke Regional Park with our caravan club.  People with long memories will have known it as Waterworks in earlier years.  The park covers 2860 hectares in the foothills of the Tararua Ranges.  Nearby by

the fork of the Pakuratahi and and Hutt River is a podocarp broadleaf rainforest typical to the original coverage in the Akatarawa and Hutt Valleys, and birdlife is abundant.  So much so that we had to compete with the noisy birds twittering away when we were sitting outside in the early evenings!

It was a long three day weekend and the park was full to bursting with hoards of happy campers.  Some in caravans and campervans like us, and lots of people in tents too.  Family groups with kids and dogs, young people in loud cars, even a gaggle of girls arrived to set up their tents.  We arranged our vans in a circle, giving ourselves a nice area in the middle  to gather in. 

The weather gods smiled on us for the first day and most of us got a touch of sunburn on our exposed arms and legs!  Then things cooled down, the gusty wind arrived, together with some rain.  Thank goodness we weren't tenting.  There would be nothing worse than wet kids and dogs running in and out of a small tent, would there.

Last of the Summer Wine perhaps?

There was a lot planned for this weekend away, and we all enjoyed lunch out at Aston Norwood Café just a short car trip away.  This establishment has beautiful gardens, and I loved the decorative bicycle in the entranceway.

Beautiful blossoms

Helen and Owen, Rally Captains, and us, ready for our lunch

Another highlight was an evening spent on the river bed when we toasted marshmallows over the embers of a fire. Th fire was hard to start, and Owen had to resort to kneeling down and blowing hard to get it going.  And he told us he used to be in the cubs, but it looks like he didn’t get his fire starting badge.

Blow harder, Owen

With a lot of help and encouragement, the fire finally got underway.  Pat helped with chopping the kindling, and we waited for the fire to die down so we could toast the marshmallows over the embers.

Such good fun, and it was nice to see several family groups nearby all doing the same.  Mind you, the gusty wind was blowing the smoke all over the place, and we all  came away smelling of wood smoke!

Down by the river bank

Park Ranger Steve came and gave our group a very interesting talk all about the history of the park.  In 1939 the untouched forests of Kaitoke Regional Park and the Hutt Waters Collection Area were purchased to supply water to the Wellington Region.  Today the area supplies water to Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington.  The park is also popular for day trippers for picnic and swimming, and for overnight camping, as we enjoyed this weekend.  The friendly ranger was bursting with enthusiasm, loves his job and the beautiful area, and lives on site with is family. 

Morning talk by the Ranger

By this time the rain had set in and our evening BBQ took place under our awning, and we ate indoors.

BBQ time

Some of the campers had packed up and gone home with the change of weather, and we did wonder how the  young girls  in their tents would last after a night of heavy rain.  Thank goodness we were well off the damp ground and safe from the rain in our vans.  

Visiting George

It was my turn to host an outing with our SLG friends during the week, so I took them to “The George” for lunch.  The George is a restaurant in the rather expensive Speldhurst Estate, built on the grounds of the former Kimberley Hospital here in Levin.  The grounds are lovely, full of beautiful large mature trees.

The George

This must be our table

Non of our guests had dined here before, nor even Robin.  I had though in my social get-togethers, and had  been here previously for lunch and morning tea.  We soon settled down to peruse the menu and make our choices.  I enjoyed my Seafood Pasta, and Robin had a nice steak, while a couple of the others chose from the cabinet food.  Les couldn’t find his old favourite of lambs fry and bacon on the menu, so had battered fish instead. I’m always amazed that the staff take photos so willingly, guess it’s all part of their training and service, to keep the customers happy.  I really do appreciate it, as most go out of their way to snap several photos from different angles so graciously.

Les, Trish, Ashley, Yvonne, Jenny and Robin

We were a slightly smaller group this time, as one couple had a previous commitment.  But still good fun, good food and good company.  After a drive around the grounds to see the huge amount of building taking place, everyone met back at Villa 50 for coffee and cake.  Did I mention this was an early birthday lunch for me?

Celebrating my birthday a little early

Poor Gemma nearly came to grief when we were enjoying a piece of carrot birthday cake.  One of our guests had been to the bathroom, come out and left the door closed.  Which meant that Gemma couldn’t access her dirt box – no wonder she was running to and fro and getting agitated.  Catastrophe finally averted, but we will have to remember the door issue next time we have visitors.

Weekend at Himatangi

There was a good turn out for our caravan club rally last weekend at Himatangi Beach Holiday Park.  As usual, managers Rueben and Alice made us very welcome.  It was the final weekend of the school holidays so the camp was rather full with families taking advantage of this time together before school started again.

Himatangi Beach

Although we have been camping for many years, the idea of a portable spa pool was completely new to us.  This was delivered to the family in the caravan parked behind us, and came complete with gas bottle, a gas heater and a few other bits and pieces.  The young family had a great time sitting in their hot tub.

Their own portable hot tub

Our club members enjoyed a scrummy morning tea on Saturday when we drove through to Sanson for a visit to Viv’s Kitchen “Food the way it used to be”.    We’ve been here before, but it’s a place well worth returning to.  This café specialises in Cream Horns, and they churn out thousands each week.  But this visit Robin and I decided on a yummy Chocolate Éclair each, and enjoyed every mouthful.  The busy staff look great dressed in their “I Love Creams Horns” aprons.

Viv’s Kitchen

Morning Tea

Later in the evening our group went out for a meal together at the local Cossie Club.  My fried fish was delicious, and Robin chose steak.  As it was still light when we had been fed and watered, we ventured down to the beach.  What a lovely evening it was,  the sun was getting lower in the sky, and people were down at the beach making the most of the evening.

Saturday evening on the beach

Our last hurrah on Sunday morning was morning tea enjoyed outside in the fresh air.  Selwyn was celebrating his birthday and handed around some goodies to share.  But that wasn’t all – Alice the Camp Mother had baked us some cookies too.

Happy Birthday Selwyn

Although this was just a two day weekend for us, some of our club members came early, and stayed a day or two later.  Why not, sounds like a plan, just a shame we couldn’t spare the extra days away this time.  Never mind, the long Labour weekend is coming up fast, so we will get to go away in the caravan again  before we know it.

Day in the Big City

We've had an adventure, and traveled into Wellington City by train.  It was free courtesy of of our Gold Card, all seniors have free off peak travel on trains and buses.  But first we had to drive down to Waikanae, the commuter trains don't come any further up the line than that.  Being school holidays the train was quite busy, Mums and Grannies out with the kids.  We were shocked to hear an altercation as two  (male) pensioners boarded the train – rude words were exchanged, but luckily it didn't come to blows.  Really, at their age, they should know better!  And its always upsetting to witness bad behaviour.  The train takes an hour to travel from Waikanae to Wellington, a nice trip that goes through seven tunnels (I counted them), along the coast, stopping at small stations all the way. 

We had a couple of things to attend to in the big city, and then found a nice café for an early lunch.  Robin committed a faux pau when he asked the waitress with the lilting accent what part of Ireland she was from.  She’s from Scotland, she told him!  That’s rather like confusing a Kiwi with an Aussie, isn't it.  Luckily she wasn't too upset and we enjoyed our tasty lunches, savoury waffles for me, and a pulled pork burger for him.

Lunch time

It was a beautiful day and as we ate our lunch we people watched through the big windows.  The locals say, “You cant beat Wellington on a good day” and that’s so true.  The notorious Wellington wind was nowhere to be found, and there were plenty of young girls sporting bare legs and arms, and short skirts and dresses.  Showing just how warm it was.  After lunch we jumped on a big yellow double decker  bus to take us down towards the station, with one more job to do on the way.  No, we didn’t climb the stairs to the top, a bit hard on our knees and back these days.  But fun all the same.

Walking the last little way to the station, we stopped by the Beehive, our Parliament Buildings.  With the General Election coming up fast, I imagine that most of the MPs were out and about trying to drum up votes.

The Beehive

I’ve always loved the grandeur of Wellington Station (opened in 1937) and when I first started work as a 15 year old I traveled to and fro in the wooden  old carriages, pulled by a diesel engine.  In those days there were smoking and non smoking carriages, so I had to make sure I didn't get stuck with all the smokers.  Growing up in a smoking household, I couldn’t stand the smell of cigarettes. 

Wellington Railway Station

And there’s our train, on Platform 4, ready and waiting for us.

We chugged past Wellington Harbour, looking across at Eastbourne, it’s very expensive real estate around there.

Then into the first of the tunnels and we were on our way.  The views from the train are always quite different that traveling by road.  We passed close by the back of the Plimmerton NZMCA site, a place we have stayed at several times.  It’s always very popular, being close to the ferry terminal, for people coming and going.

Caravans and motor-homes at Plimmerton

It was a nice restful journey back to Waikanae, so restful that Robin nodded off and I had to awaken him.   We always enjoy train travel so we are sure to do it again sometime. Certainly beats trying to find parking in the big city.

Early Voting and Happy Birthday Probus

Our Members of Parliament and the hopefuls are in full campaign mode – out in the regions hustling for votes.  After a Covid rocky start and a change of date, the  General Election is not too far away now.  We executed our democratic right and voted early yesterday.  There was plenty of hand sanitiser on tables, and plenty of room available so we were well spaced out.  It was a good idea I thought to be offered a pen each  to keep, so that we could mark our choices on the ballot papers using a pen untouched by others.  All necessary precautions these days.

This morning we attended our Probus meeting – these meeting were closed during Lockdown and for several months after until it was deemed safe for people to gather in crowds again.  I was particularly keen to catch up with Committee member Denys who had our names on her telephone list and made regular phone calls to see how we were faring during the months we couldn't meet.  I hadn't met Denys before and wanted to thank her for the Probus phone calls, it was a nice idea of the committee, I thought.  Especially for people who live alone.

It was a special meeting today, celebrating the 25th Birthday of our Probus Club.  Of course there was a birthday cake, and what a beauty is was, cut by John, who was instrumental in setting up our club all those years ago.

Happy 25th Birthday to us

Our Mayor Bernie Walden (just call me Bernie, he said, not standing on ceremony) was the guest speaker and told us of his life and times.  Standing for Mayor was not on his agenda, he said, but after a little time on the Council when there were personality problems amongst some he decided to put his hat in the rink.  Being a long term business owner he knows the town well, and people know him, and appreciate the way the Council is now being run.  He is very approachable and more than happy to take phone calls from the townspeople, he assured us. 

Our Mayor Bernie

To celebrate our birthday we were promised a “special morning tea’, and and certainly was delicious.  Sandwiches, asparagus rolls, scones with jam and cream, and of course, the birthday cake.  It was a great finale, many thanks to the Committee members and helpers who did all the preparation.

Doing Lunch

We had a trip down to the Hutt Valley, our old stomping ground, recently to meet up with our SLG friends for lunch.  This group has been meeting each month for an outing for about 30 years now.  In our earlier years we would climb hills, tramp around the coastline, and do all sorts of energetic things.  Go to exhibitions, walk around displays, explore the countryside.   Sadly, the years are starting to take their toll on our collective knees and hips these days and several of our group now have to rely on a walking stick.  But we can “do lunch” very well with the best of them.  Which is what we did, meeting up in Lower Hutt at the Glass House Café, tucked away inside the California Garden Centre.  Such lovely surroundings.

Glass House Café

Ashley had organised our outing this month, and we had a full muster in attendance.  Always nice to catch up with everyone again.  The meals were very tasty, and I particularly enjoyed my yummy hot smoked salmon, and Robin munched his way through a Big Breakfast.

Here we all are

After our lunch some wandered around the extensive garden centre and gift shop, so many lovely things there to tempt you.  Since we had the furthest to travel, we opted to head for home.  There are always plenty of road works in evidence.  This particular site is the huge job of Transmission Gully motorway, scheduled to open in 2021.  The 27 km four-lane motorway will run from Mackays Crossing to Linden, through Transmission Gully. Four interchanges and two new link roads will connect the route to Mackays, SH58, eastern Porirua and Kenepuru.   The concept for a motorway along the route called Transmission Gully had been mooted for decades before serious discussion on the option started in the late 1980s.  Robin always used to say, “it wont happen in my lifetime”, looks like he will soon be proved wrong!

Mackays Crossing, Paekakariki

No trip along the coast road would be complete with out a snap of Kapiti Island.  We stopped at a rest point coming down Pukerua Hill for Robin to check something in the car, so I took the opportunity to step outside and snap a few photos while standing still, instead of madly clicking out of the car window as we whizzed along. 

Kapiti Island

As we were making good time in our return journey, we decided to invite ourselves around to Geoff and Eileen’s home for coffee.  The dairy cows were also visiting over the fence in the next door paddock.  They were so curious, and several of them came up to see what I was doing.

The cows came calling

Then we joined the traffic again and drove the final 20km home.  It had been a nice day catching up with everyone, and thanks for the coffee break, Geoff and Eileen, much appreciated.