ICA Rally, Hawkes Bay

Billed as the “0 & 5 Rally”, this six day adventure was a busy time indeed.  Each year the ICA Club runs this rally to celebrate with those who are celebrating a major birthday or wedding anniversary during the year.  This takes place on the final evening of the rally, so more about this later.

We had two nights at the Hawkes Bay Caravan Club grounds in Eskdale.

  After several days of rain, the grounds were very wet and soft indeed.  New members Peter and Ruth certainly made an impression on their first rally when their motor home got stuck in the mud.  Try as they might, it wouldn't budge, and the van just dug itself deeper and deeper into the mud.  A group of members jumped into action, pushing and rocking to get the van out of the hole, but to no avail.  It really needed to be towed out, just the job for Robin and his trusty Jeep.  Success at last!

 

All hands on deck!

Dinner was provided on our first night together, soup and bread rolls.  Very tasty indeed, there was pumpkin soup, ham and veggie, and tomato.  Plenty to go around, and most of us went up for seconds too.    And for morning tea the next day, we were treated to scones with jam and cream, didn't we do well.

Soup for dinner and scones for morning tea

As expected, Robin’s help was needed when it was time to move on, and several motorhomes were towed off the wet ground.  Next stop was the Hasting Race Course – luckily the ground was much firmer to park on here.  A climb up the grandstand gave a great view of all the vans laid out on the grass.

Hastings Race Course

Dinner that evening was “Pea, Pie and Pud” at John’s Café, we had preordered our choice of pie to make things easier for the staff.  The main course was followed by cheesecake, and coffee.  It was a tasty meal indeed.

Enjoying our meal

On Thursday we moved on to the Ellwood Function Centre for our final evening.  The two caravans in the group, along with a large Wakerley bus were parked up together, and all the other motorhomes were in another part of the parking area.

Dressed in our glad rags, we made our way to the Function Centre and enjoyed a lovely catered meal.  Baked ham, roast veggies, followed with tiramisu.  I thought it prudent to take a photo of the large cake before it was cut – this was a carrot cake with cream cheese icing, made for us by John’s Bakery.

The celebration cake

And the big birthday celebrations this year ranged from 75, 80, 85, and a 90.  Well done to the birthday people.  Kathie had made beautiful hand made cards to be presented to all celebrating this year..

Happy Birthday

There were three couples celebrating major wedding anniversaries this year, all 60th anniversaries, how wonderful!

Happy 60th Anniversary to you all

Robin received  the Benton Recovery Award for his help in towing out those members stuck in the mud.  It was no trouble at all, he really enjoyed it.

Thanks for helping, Robin

Bev cutting the cake

The next morning our ICA Rally came to an end, we said our farewells and went on our way.  It had been great fun, and we enjoyed meeting up with everyone again.  Many thanks to Desma and Doug for all their planning and running another successful rally, and all those others who helped behind the scenes.