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.
1 comment:
You may not have travelled away for Easter, but you look to have still had a nice day out.
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