One appointment down, one to go

Up here in Hamilton we had our first appointment for the caravan on Friday.  This was the annual service, and checking out our hot water heater recall.  After staying overnight on the factory driveway, the workmen were ready to move the caravan into the factory on their trusty forklift and start work.  We were surplus to requirements, so picked up the cat, hopped in the car, and left them to it.  It was time for breakfast at the local café, so we parked the car under a shady tree for Gemma’s comfort, deciding we could safely leave her there for a half  hour while the temperatures were still relatively cool. 

Now, what’s for breakfast?  There weren't too may customers at that time of the morning, so service was very prompt.  We decoded on French Toast for him and poached eggs for her, both very tasty.

Friday morning breakfast

We whiled away several hours down at Hamilton Lake Domain,  looking over Lake Rotoroa.  This is a lovely place, and very popular with walkers and joggers.  There are waterfowl galore to watch, and we noticed an elderly man carefully put his radio controlled boat in the lake and sent it this way and that.  Our caravan was ready to collet in the early afternoon, everything had been attended to, we were told, and we now have a C02 monitor installed as part of the hot water recall.

Our next three nights were spent at a Park Over Property not too far from the city in Flagstaff.  Such a lovely peaceful place after the hustle and bustle of the city, and friendly hosts.

Relaxing on the farm

Our hostess Lynda has several horses, including two pure bred Arabian horses who had done very well when she competed in earlier years.  And her husband John, she told us, has a passion for plowing competitions, so that is why and old plow is proudly on display.  Lynda is a true countrywoman, and commented on the number of rabbits around the property – she often takes her rifle out at dusk to keep the numbers down!

It was “Beer O’clock” before we knew it, then Robin got on with the task of firing up the BBQ and cooking sausages for tour evening meal.   What a life!

This is the life!

ON Sunday we went to visit my nephew Shane and his wife Kirstie who live in Te Awamutu.  It’s been a while since we last saw them, so it was a good catch up, and to reminisce about the recent passing of his Mum, my elder sister Kathleen.  Shane and Kirstie had recently purchased an English  caravan, and proudly showed it to us.  Welcome to the club, we told them, and make sure you join NZMCA, you wont regret it.

Nephew Shane and his new van

While driving out for our family visit, we spotted a, intriguing sign in nearby Kihikihi, the Orakau Battlesite, of 1864.

The Battle of Orakau was also known as Rewi’s last stand, and was immortalized in Rudall Hayward’s 1925 silent film (remade as a ‘talkie’ in 1940) of that name. Rewi’s men began building a redoubt-shaped pa at Ōrākau in late March 1864. The British stationed at Kihikihi soon observed this development. Brigadier-General G.J. Carey sent an armed force under Majors von Tempsky and Blyth to investigate. Within two days more than 1400 troops had arrived at Ōrākau, where the fortification was still incomplete. With the arrival of some Waikato reinforcements the number of defenders was about 300 – up to a third of them women.   The Maori warriors were soon out of food, water and ammunition. It was an unequal fight, with 160 Maori losing their lives, to 17 deaths for the British troops.

Centennial Plaque to the battle

It’s always interesting to check out these unknown to us pieces of history as we travel around our country.