ICA Christmas Rally at Pauanui

After arriving a couple of days early with Bill and Val, and enjoying the lovely weather, on Monday the rest of the ICA members rolled in.  Alan and Roger had the parking well organised, directing the motor homes into spaces, with the overflow parked up on the adjacent car park.  So the numbers went from our two vans to a full complement of 27 vans in no time at all.

It’s serious work being the parking monitors

Pauanui  Sports and Recreation Club

Those staying in the car park decided to park right up to the fence next to the airstrip so they had a good view of any arrivals and takeoffs.

Parked by the air strip

Several groups got together to organise teams for the Mini Putt, although these ladies did tell me they weren't too sure what they were doing.  All good fun though.

Concentrating on their golf swings

The adjacent Menz Shed was open, so Robin popped his head in to say hello – one Menz Shedder to another.  They all seemed very busy working away on their projects.

Menz Shedders at work

And just what was happening here?  This very interested group were checking out the configuration of our gas cylinders, it seems.  Not that I would know, I was inside the van keeping well out of the way.

Mmm, what’s all this about?

The expected rain arrived on Tuesday so that put paid to any more Mini Putt.  In fact, it rained and rained so much there was a severe weather warning for the Coromandel area.  Luckily we took advantage of the club bar for Happy Hour, rain or no rain.  The highlight of the rally was our Christmas Dinner, catered at the club.  Our evening started off with a Sing-Along, with Bob and Stan providing the music, the song books and leading the singing.  It was amazing just how many of those songs we knew, tucked away in the recesses of our minds, as they were.

Making beautiful music together

As we entered the dining room we were handed a glass of bubbly, such a lovely gesture, sat down at one of the beautifully decorated tables (thanks Dell, the tables  all looked delightful) and enjoyed a lovely roast meal together.  Then it was time for our celebration meal, and what a feast it was.  Roast beef, gorgeous ham on the bone, and a great selection of vegetables.  The dessert was delivered to the tables on a platter, mini pavs, Christmas Pudding and ice-cream.  We certainly didn't go hungry.

Robin, Jenny, Bev, Bill, Scotty and Val

After the meal Santa and the Christmas Elf came calling, bringing bags of gifts with them.  Wonder if we had been naughty or nice?

Christmas Elf (Alan) and Santa (Doug)

Guess the pair of us had been very well behaved this year as our names were called up to go and sit on Santa’s knee.  Poor Santa, we didn’t really want to cause him an injury, so just gave him a cuddle instead.

Thank you Santa

Everyone was called up to get a gift, so we all must have been very well behaved this year.  Then the Christmas Cake was cut and handed around.  It was so delicious, thanks to Janice who baked and decorated the cake.

Our beautiful Christmas Cake

The rally concluded on Thursday morning, with some getting on their way extra early, while the remainder of us enjoyed morning tea out in the hot sunshine.  Looks like the rain has finally left us.   Some then moved on, we were heading north, and a few other vans decided to stay an extra night.  It was a great ICA Rally, so nice to catch up with everyone again, and many thanks to Roger and Janice, Dell and Alan for organising this event for the club.

I had a mishap in the caravan when we first arrived, tripping and falling and giving my jaw a great whack.  So spent the rally sporting  a large bruise, which seemed to get darker each day.   I’m sure the club members were looking at the pair of us sideways, wondering what on earth had happened, but rest assured, Robin was completely innocent, I managed to do it to myself.  Not a pretty sight at all, but luckily nothing was broken.