After a very relaxing time at the farm over the weekend, we hooked up and left early on Monday morning for our appointment with Motor Home Solar. Our hostess Lynda had given us directions so that we skirted the expressway and those infernal round-abouts during the early morning commuter traffic. Robin was guided as he backed the caravan into the workshop, then the car, and we took ourselves into the office to wait. The car was going to be worked on first, to enable us to charge the house battery on the caravan while towing.
In the workshop
Gemma was not at all happy to be bundled into the cat carrier – we keep this light fold-up one in the caravan in case of emergencies. We really thought she would kick up a fuss, scratch her way out of the fabric mesh window in no time at all, all accompanied by a load yowling, but no, fortunately she kept calm and quiet. Then the office lady arrived, accompanied by her two small dogs – no wonder we were instructed to contain Gemma in a carry cage. These two small dogs pranced right over to see this poor cat locked up, no doubt laughing in their little doggy minds. We were most surprised that Gemma didn't start hissing and yowling at them! Then, one of the little dogs demanded to get up on the sofa, sit on my lap, and be petted. Don't know what Gemma thought of that at all.
Waiting in the office
As soon as the car was ready, we could get on our way, leaving the caravan behind to get an extra solar panel fitted, plus new batteries. Where to now, we wondered, as we had the day to fill in. We spent some time down by the Waikato River, such pretty surroundings, and ate our lunch there. Plenty of others had the same idea, mostly workers it seemed, it was a very popular lunch spot, with cars arriving. Some remained in their cars to eat their lunch, while others sat in a shady seat or walked along the river bank.
Down by the river for lunch
Next stop was to the large shopping centre, The Base, to get a couple of things. If we needed to be reminded that Christmas is coming fast, just look at this huge Christmas Tree. It looked wonderful, with the sun glinting on all the decorations, and would probably look even more festive when it was lit up at night. We enjoyed a delicious mixed berry ice-cream here while we waited to the call to tell us the caravan was ready to collect. Mind you, the weather was so warm that I was fighting a losing battle to eat mine before it melted away.
Huge Christmas Tree
At last the phone call came through to come and collect the caravan. That took a little time, as we had to wait while the workers were in a staff meeting. The account was paid, and we were free to go. I was worried that the staff would remove the batteries we had been using, borrowed ones belonging to Bill, but no, they were still safely there. We gave them our old sick batteries to dispose of, and placed Bill’s ones on the floor of the caravan to take them home and return them. It was very kind of him to offer us these batteries to tide us over for a few weeks.
Thank you Bill
By this stage is was after 4.00pm and the traffic was horrendous as we slowly made our way with all the other cars, trucks and buses to finally leave the city behind. Hamilton is a very busy city, with an explosion of both housing and industrial buildings going up everywhere. The city is fortunate to have so much flat land available for development, but it certainly adds to the traffic woes.
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