Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Thursday 22 July 2021

Matariki at Foxton

We spent the weekend with the Caravan Club at the Manawatu Caravan Club grounds at Foxton.  But before we started on our journey Robin had to take the caravan down to Gypsy’s for a small job.  Our Dometic three way fridge was part of a recall and needed looking at, where they replaced part of the 12 volt power loom.  Luckily it didn’t take too long at all and we were on our way later in the morning.

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Club members trickled in during the day, and in the evening we went down town to view the light show celebrating Matariki, the Maori New Year.  There are many legends about the star cluster Matariki. One of the most popular is that the star Matariki is the whaea (mother), surrounded by her six daughters. Matariki and her daughters journey across the sky each year to visit Papatūānuku, their earth mother.  During this visit, each of the stars help Papatūānuku to prepare for the year to come, and  they also learn new skills and gain new knowledge from her, which they guard and pass on to others.  The reappearance of the Matariki stars signals the beginning of the Māori New Year.  Matariki has different names around the world, it is also known by its ancient Greek name, Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.

Crowds gathered in the courtyard surrounding the Dutch windmill, lit up with ever changing colours.   We found some seats and sat and watched, thankful that we had our winter coats on during the chilly evening.  There was also a slide show playing on the large windows of the museum, showing scenes of the early days of Foxton.  The food trucks were doing a roaring trade, and we indulged in some tasty donuts covered in cinnamon and sugar, so warm and tasty.  Then on the way back to camp we bought some fish and chips, guess it was a matter of eating our pudding first that night!

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De Molen Windmill

The Rally Captains had organised a busy afternoon for us all the following day, we met at the the local museum, “Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom” for a guided tour.  This museum is a collaboration between the Maori people, the Dutch immigrants and the Council, and is the only facility in the country which has info boards in three languages, Maori, Dutch and English, we were told.  Part of the displays feature early Maori life, and there are remains of aa hand carved waka (boat) on display.  The waka is a rare survival from the 19th century, and was found after been buried for many decades in the bed of Lake Tangimate.

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In the Maori exhibits

Foxton was a thriving town in the early years.  With flax growing naturally it was harvested and made into rope, sacking and mats.  Prior to the Europeans settling, the local Maori people used the bounty of flax to make all sorts of items for daily use, including baskets and sleeping mats.  The river (now silted up) ran through the town and was a hive of activity with ships coming and going.

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Flax harvesters

Our guide then took us around to the Dutch area of the museum.  The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman is officially recognised as the first European to 'discover' New Zealand in 1642. Nazi Germany overran the Netherlands during WW11, nd the country and civilians were devastated.  At the end of the war housing was poor, the economy in tatters, and people left in droves for a fresh start, mainly settling in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

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Bombed to pieces

The Dutch immigrants soon settled in to Kiwi life, but it must have been difficult to leave their homeland, learn a new language, and build a new life.  Many have made great contributions here, including “Bug Man” Ruud Kleinpaste.  And how many Wellingtonians visited Suzy’s Coffee Shop in Willis Street. which opened in the 60s.  Suzy van de Kwast  arrived here as an assisted immigrant,  and was amazed at how few cafés there were to serve the growing population.  The food differed from most available in Wellington at the time. There was a salad bar where customers could serve themselves, as well as delicacies such as crayfish rolls. Suzy's attracted a wide variety of customers including office workers, students, politicians, businessmen and local characters, while cleaners and taxi-drivers often appeared in the evenings.

Bikes are a feature of life in the Netherlands, and during our visit there we were told that the canals are consisted of a layer of mud, a layer of bicycles and the water on top!

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An assortment of bikes on display

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Dutch settlers brought many furnishings with them to make them feel at home

After an evening  meal out at the Loop Restaurant, formerly the RSA, the rain came down and the strong  wind buffeted the vans all night.  We would just nod off and then, shake rattle and roll, more gusts hit us, it was not a pleasant night at all.  The ground was sodden as we packed up after morning tea and headed for home.  Many thanks to Murray and Sue of planning a great weekend for us all.

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A soggy Sunday morning

Tuesday 13 July 2021

About Town

We’ve been pottering around during the last week or so, doing a few chores and getting some necessary supplies in.  I had my first trip to the supermarket for quite some time.  All I can say is that I’m pleased I had my walker to get around on, and I really needed a cuppa and a lie down when we got back home!  While I had been absent from supermarket duties over the last couple of months the shop has had quite a makeover, with all fridges and freezers replaced.  And just to keep the shoppers on their toes, many items are not where they used to be, now placed somewhere completely different.

Another local trip was to get rid of  some recycling, something that Robin usually does by himself.  But I was having a bout of cabin fever so went along for the ride.  What a busy place, cars kept arriving to get rid of their cans, plastic, cardboard and bottles.

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Recycling time

Then it was time to go to our local veggie market, the Garden of York,  to stock up on nice fresh locally grown vegetables, (if its green, it’s got to be good for you) and some fruit as well.  I brought home a lovely big grey pumpkin which will be ending up as pumpkin soup one of these days.  And a bag of little baby yams too, we enjoy these roasted, so nice.  Leeks, kumara, cauli and broccoli, parsnips and carrots, that should see us right for a while, we do love our veggies.

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Leeks growing in the winter sunshine

Another trip was to get our second Covid vaccination.  We were warned that some people will get a reaction, rather like flu symptoms, but both of us were fine.  There, all done now but…….. we heard on the news that maybe a third dose will be needed later on, we will have to wait and see.  Not that we will have a problem with that, in fact, I imagine the Covid jab will probably become an annual vaccination, just like the flu jab we get each year.

After long last we are going away for a weekend caravan club rally, it’s been a while since we were able to attend.  Robin is champing at the bit, he really enjoys his time away in the caravan.  And it will be a nice change of scene for Gemma as well, she is a well seasoned caravan cat indeed.  Meanwhile, she has been tucked up inside  keeping herself warm.

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All warm and snuggly

Sunday 4 July 2021

Offal Night

Does that send shivers down your spine?  We were invited out by friends Derek and Dot on Friday night to have a meal at the local RSA, Returned Services Association, to indulge in one of their regular Offal Night offerings.  We don’t eat offal but were assured that other things were on the menu as well.

On offer for the brave were Lambs Fry and Bacon, Tripe and Onions, and something rather frightening called a Mixed Offal Plate, goodness knows what was served up for that!  Luckily there was Steak and Kidney Pie and Fish and Chips as well too choose from.  Derek chose lambs fry and bacon, but mentioned the bacon seemed to be missing, and Dot had her taste buds happy with tripe and onions.  Robin and I both chose the steak and kidney pie, which was delicious.

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Steak and Kidney Pie

As we were having a night off from cooking, we all indulged in dessert as well.  Ice cream sundaes and spiced apple and walnut cake (huge portion) were devoured with gusto.  It was a nice night out and we all enjoyed our meals, thanks Derek and Dot for inviting us to join you.

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The Polar Blast has been and gone and we have had some lovely calm and sunny days, cooler temps starting with frosty mornings.  Thank goodness for the heat pump.  There is a sprinkling of snow on the Tararua Ranges behind our home, no doubt there will be heavier falls as the winter season continues.