Rally at Mt Lees Reserve

If you are hoping to spot the mountain here, you won’t even notice it.  Mt Lees has an elevation of only 95 metres, barely noticeable as you drive around.  The reserve was created by Ormond Wilson, who inherited 320 hectares of what was part of Ngaio Station.   The homestead was built first and then Wilson stood back to take stock of his land.  A fire had swept through the area centuries before leaving plenty of room for gorse, scrub  and vines to take over.  Small areas of native bush still grew in the gullies, and titoki, matai and giant totara, kahikatea and pukatea stood strong. They still remain and for 40 years Wilson created his ideal of nature with many plantings. In December 1972 he gifted the land to the Crown, and now the reserve is overseen by the Manawatū District Council.  There are walkways through the extensive bush, self contained camping is permitted, toilets and water are available.  Eight vans from our caravan club enjoyed a weekend here in the lovely setting.

Mt Lees Homestead

We arrived in time for lunch on Friday to find several member’s vans already parked up, with the others arriving later in the afternoon.  President Barry erected the club flag, and had kindly also brought some freshly picked apples from his orchard, for us to share.

A pleasant afternoon was spent outside, enjoying the company and eating lunch, afternoon tea, and finally 4zees.  We didn’t really do much at all, other than put the world to rights.  Dot commented about an intermittent fault on her van, and Dave gave it a once over, hoping to spot the problem – not sure if it rectified yet. 

Dave and Dot under the bonnet looking for the battery

In the evening we gathered in the Summer House for a get together.  This was a three sided structure with no doors, and as the evening got darker, the big moths started to fly in, and for whatever reason, made straight for me!  Have to admit that there is nothing I hate more than big furry moths flying all around, so after jumping up out of my seat and waving my arms around several times, enough was enough.  I left everyone else to the furry flying monsters and took myself off to bed. 

Saturday Morning Tea was a special occasion when Selwyn and Kath received their 100 Rally Badges, presented by Barry.  Many congratulations to you both.

100th Rally Presentation

There was a lot on in the local area over the weekend, so our club members had plenty of choices of what to do.  Some went and played Mini Golf, others went to a local quilt show, or checked out the Field Days at Manfield Raceway.  We went for a family visit and passed by a big pile of purple wrapped hay bales with smiley faces.  So of course I had to stop the car and take a photo.

Purple wrapped bales on the road side

We were busy cooking Sunday breakfast and our gas bottle ran out.  Could of been worse, this type of thing usually happens in the dead of night in the middle of a storm.  Luckily it was a simple fix and our mushrooms on toast were soon cooked and served.  Don had a problem with his batteries getting too low which wouldn’t allow the TV satellite dish to be stowed for travel.  Luckily Pat came to the rescue with his trusty red generator to put some more current into the batteries and this task could be done.

Robin and Pat lending a hand

After Morning Tea on Sunday we all packed up and went our respective ways.  Many thanks to Barry and Dianne for such a fun weekend.