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.