Meeting up with Wairarapa Caravan Club

The grand finale to our three week safari was the Combined Rally hosted by the Wairarapa Caravan Club at Carterton School.  Our arrival had to be delayed till after 5.00pm due to after school care taking place, and we then we drove around to the back of the school.  Park anywhere, we were told, so we all slotted into place and got set up.

At Carterton School

Friday evening was quiz night, so we gathered in the hall, pens at the ready.  “Whaddaya Know” were the quizzes, all about New Zealand and taken from the in-flight Air New Zealand magazines.  Questions such as “Which Guinness world record is held by Dunedin’s Baldwin St?” - the steepest in the world, and “How many sheep in New Zealand?’ – 26 million!  As usual, some of us knew more than others, and the winners were Bill and Val, and Frank and Adrienne.  The evening concluded with a delicious home baked supper.

Morning tea on Saturday was under the large shady elm trees.  As it was a special occasion combined rally, we were wearing our new club tee-shirts, black with flashes of orange..

Morning Tea in the Carterton sunshine

During the weekend the Masterton air show “Wings Over Wairarapa” was happening and it was exciting to watch the airplanes flying overhead – particularly the mighty B52 bomber, such a loud and powerful plane.  Others spotted were Harvards, Yaks, and a Vampire.   

After a free day we gathered under the shady tree again for 4zees (Happy Hour), and what a surprise we got, not knowing what was coming.  We had qualified for our 400 rally badges and these were presented by our club President Barry.

400th Rally presentation

We pooled cars in the evening and drove up to Combined Services Club in Masterton.  With about 25 or so booked in, sadly the staff was under pressure.  Not from our numbers, but one of the cooks didn’t turn up for his shift, and only one ATM was working.  But the staff rallied to the occasion, and our meals were cooked and delivered in a timely fashion, and our group all enjoyed each other’s company, as well as a night off from cooking duties.

Many thanks to Barry and Dianne for bringing along a big box of plums from their orchard to share with us all, much appreciated.  Most of us hooked up and left after morning tea, as we had a 2 hour drive ahead of us to get home.  Driving over the Saddle Road we saw some extra large wind turbines being installed, waiting for the blades to be attached, they certainly are much bigger than the existing ones.

New style of wind turbine

Driving up over the Saddle Road, and through to Horowhenua, we were hot and hungry and looking forward to getting home.  Little did we know what was waiting for us there………….