Anzac Weekend on the farm

We spent the three day Anzac Weekend with our Caravan Club buddies at Lutz Farm,  a dairy farm  in rural Otaki.  On arrival, the first duty of the weekend was to erect the gazebo, to give us a little shelter from any wind or rain which was quite likely to occur over the weekend.  Wrestling with the gazebo certainly took some doing but the hardy bunch of volunteers soon had it under control.

Gazebo in place for the weekend

Circle the wagons

Watching through the caravan window, we saw the never ending stream of dairy cows walk along the race as they made their way to the milking sheds - about 400 or so.  The cows ambled along,  one after another, and there is a definite hierarchy in their position in the group, we were told.

The afternoon milking

There were plenty of newly weaned heifer calves

On Saturday morning we drove down to Te Horo to have lunch at The Blue Bus.  It’s been a while since we had been here, and the surroundings are just as gorgeous as we remembered.

Parking in the car park, we wandered up a winding path, beautifully planted on either side, and emerge into a clearing.  And there it is, a 1964 blue and white Bedford bus, converted into a kitchen, and surrounded by a collection of tables in the sunshine, some with umbrellas, or you could sit in one of several shelters, including the cut-off rear-end of a second vintage bus.  This establishment sells good honest food, such as hearty toasted sandwiches, Southland Cheese Rolls, and delicious coffee, all very reasonably priced, we thought.  And not only are pet dogs welcome too, but riders on horses as well.  We all enjoyed our various choices, and marveled at the steady stream of customers arriving, many of them with their canine companions.

The Blue Bus, Te Horo

This café is just a stone’s throw from the beach so we stopped off to have a look.  The beach was littered in driftwood, breakers were rolling in, and there’s Kapiti Island in the distance.

Te Horo Beach and Kapiti Island

Fully fed and watered, we drove back to the farm.  Robin spotted something out of the corner of his eye, stopped the car and backed up to have a look.  That’s certainly a big boy resting under the shelter!

A whole lot of bull!

Rally Captain Dennis had organised a milking competition, and it was just as well that a real cow was not used as some of the contestants certainly had rough hands indeed.  Poor old “Daisy” had four legs, a tail, and an udder made from a rubber glove – I’m sure she would be mooing in desperation from the treatment she received.

Bill and Dot competing in the milking competition

The winners – Murray and Val

Sunday was Anzac Day – 25th April marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles and open a sea route to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea.  The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians and New Zealanders who died in that war. The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all from both countries killed in military operations.  Our group attended a 5.00pm Service at Otaki Cemetery.

Otaki Cemetery

The afternoon service was well attended , and many people wore their own or family medals, plus red poppies.  We watched as members of the Air Force Corps marched  to the flag pole, the flag was lowered, ceremonially folded then presented back to the Otaki RSA representative.  The haunting sounds of a single bagpipe, and a lone bugler playing The Last Post, together with the recitation of The Creed made it a very moving remembrance service indeed.

Anzac Day Service

Our day ended with a meal out together at Curry Town in Otaki.  Have to admit that we are not great Indian cuisine lovers so this was an experience for us.  We checked through the menu and professed to our dining companions that we didn’t really know the difference between a Rogan Josh, Korma or Tikka.  Eventually we made up our minds and placed our orders.  The food was nice, and the surroundings were very pleasant, and it goes without saying that the company was wonderful. 

Dining at Curry Town, Otaki

After morning tea on Monday we packed up at headed home, wondering just how heavy the traffic would be on a public holiday.  Although reasonably busy round Otaki, but we made it home it good time.  It was a great weekend rally, and many thanks to joint Rally Captains Dennis and Glenys, and Pat and Thelma.

Staying Local

We've had a busy day, doing a few chores in the local area.  First was a visit to the doctor’s surgery for our annual flu jab.  The nurses were busy attending to a steady stream of patients coming in for their jabs.  No trouble at all with this, we hardly felt a thing.  We believe that the Covid vaccinations will be available to us about May, so we are looking forward to receiving them soon.

Next was a trip to the “Big Egg” to purchase our free range eggs.  While Robin was inside attending to this, I walked over to say hello to all the happy hens enjoying some time outside.  They have plenty of space to scratch around looking for bugs in the grass and dirt.  I think they were hoping I had some food scraps to toss over the fence for them.

Happy hens lay healthy eggs

Our last stop was at the local market “The Garden of York” to replenish our fruit and veggies.  Many of the vegetables are grown on site, and we could see lots of fresh seedlings growing nicely.  We love our fresh veggies and always purchase them here.

Veggies growing

After all that, it was time to go back home for a cuppa.

A Rather Grey Weekend

It’s not much of a weekend here in our part of paradise, rather grey and blah and feeling a little damp.  Not quite cold enough to put the heat pump on yet, but not warm enough to sit outside either.  The sun was trying it’s best to shine through the misty cloud cover, and I was so pleased with the photo I managed to snap. This was taken about 3.00pm yesterday.

A funny sort of day

We took a trip to hospital during the week as Robin was due to have a procedure done.  I left him in the capable hands of the medical staff for several hours and took myself off to the hospital café.  With my current back problem making walking difficult, I’m pleased I had the walking stick to rely on, I certainly needed the support.  I was soon comfortably settled with a sandwich and coffee, my book, and some stitching, together with the cell phone handy waiting for the call to return and collect Robin after his procedure was complete.  One of the Levin Shuttle Drivers (in his uniform) had a bit of a chat with me as I was stitching away, so I told him Robin drives the shuttle too.   And although they hadn't met he had seen Robin’s name on the roster sheet.  What a small world! The procedure went reasonably well, although rather uncomfortable, Robin said, and now we are waiting results.

Robin cooked our usual Sunday morning bacon and eggs for breakfast today, and I’ve prepared a beef casserole for dinner which is cooking nicely in the crockpot.  There is sure to be some rugby on TV for him to watch today, and I can potter around and keep myself busy, I’m sure, so all is well in our world.  And our flag has been lowered to half mast as a mark of respect for Prince Phillip’s passing.

Staying Home for Easter

We decided to stay home for Easter this year instead of heading away in our caravan, medical appointments are taking priority.  Reflecting back, we were home over Easter last year (2020), because of New Zealand being in lockdown.  Never mind, I’m sure there will be plenty more caravan trips to look forward to. 

The roads were very busy when we took a trip to Foxton to visit the museum Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom.   Caravan club member Sue was taking part in an exhibition with her art group, so we went along to check it out.  And there she was, working on a commission.

Sue hard at work

All the artists had work on display and we had a lovely time admiring the different styles on show.  I particularly loved the New Zealand scenes, mountains, rivers, farmland and the like. 

Two of Sue’s paintings

It was a lovely day indeed in Foxton, calm and sunny, and at Sue’s suggestion we had a light lunch at Sweet Dreams Café sitting outside under the sun shade.  This gave us ample opportunity for “people watching” as there were streams of visitors walking up nd down the foot path.

Lunch at Sweet Dreams

A short drive behind the shops took us to the Manawatu River Loop. This was once a bustling port town, with ships loaded with flax, timber and other goods travelling down the river and out to markets in Wellington and beyond.  But the river is now sad, stagnant and  polluted, and water hasn't flowed through the loop since the 1940s, after a flood closed the upstream entrance during the construction of the Whirokino Cut, a Government flood-protection scheme.  The loop has since filled with silt and weeds, the quality of the water has deteriorated and it is now unsafe.  However, the good news is that work has now started – shovels have broken ground at the Manawatū River Loop as work begins to rejuvenate it.  The work is funded by $3.86 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to improve the loop and the Harbour Street Recreation Reserve in Foxton.  Stage one  rejuvenation involves excavating 25,000 square metres of vegetation and accumulated river sediment from the loop, between Clyde and Wharf streets, stabilising the new river bank, and building new pathways and landscaping.

Manawatu River Loop

The Easter Bunny obviously didn’t come calling to our home this year, we have missed out on marshmallow eggs and on a recent trip to the supermarket we couldn't track down a single Crème Egg. Just as well we have a packet or two of Hot Cross Buns to enjoy.  Happy Easter to all, and if you are traveling on the busy roads this long Easter Weekend, safe travels.