Working around Road Closures

I had arranged to meet up with our SLG friends for lunch on Friday at Fisherman’s Table, Paekakariki,  but there was a problem earlier in the week.  SH 59 which runs along the coast was closed from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki due to a land slip.  This wouldn't affect us as we were further north, but our friends were travelling up from the Hutt Valley.  Goodness me, what to do, would our lunch go ahead?  A few phone calls later and it was all worked out.  First I had to make sure that the restaurant was still open and operating – yes it was.  But the receptionist informed me  that there was a further slip just north of the restaurant, when a car fell down the Paekakariki Hill!  We have had an awful lot of rain fall this last week, no wonder there were slips happening.  Our friends would have to take the Transmission Gully Road, exit a little north of Paekakariki, turn around and drive a short way back to the restaurant.

SH 59 closed at the restaurant

We all arrived safely, thank goodness, the others were there ahead of us, we were running a little late due to the traffic and speed restrictions on the way down.  Never mind, I’m sure they could chat amongst themselves.

Fisherman’s Table

There they were, we found our table and settled down.  Of course we had plenty to chat about.  Then it was time to check the menu and make our choices – we all had fish although there were other things on the menu.  And surprisingly, most of us also had a dessert.  That doesn't usually happen, but I expect the others heard me declare that I really must have a “Crème Brule”, a special favourite of mine. 

I spied a rather misty looking Kapiti Island through the window.  On a nice sunny day people can choose to eat outside, if they wish.

Kapiti Island off the coast

After a pleasant couple of hours we left to make our way home.  Goodness knows why, but I didn't get photos of our table, too much talking, I expect.

We were affected by the road closure just north of the restaurant with the slip on Paekakariki Hill involving a car, so we were told.  Contractors were working on clearing the road and we were directed around a few corners, through the small township, then back onto the motorway.  Our drive home was uneventful, just as we like it.  It was a nice day out, catching up with our SLG friends.

 

Detour this way

The Countdown Begins

After two years, Robin has finally got a date for his knee replacement surgery.  Covid, of course, had a lot to do with this, but now things are moving along.  Because of the long delays in elective surgery, the Health Department is contracting out orthopedic surgeries to private hospitals, to get the long waiting lists under control.  The other day we had a visit to Aorangi Orthopedic Centre to meet the surgeon.

Aorangi Orthopedics

That was another change – the original surgeon who was to do the job was overwhelmed with cases, so Robin was referred to his colleague, Mr Love,  who will be taking some extra cases to ease the pressure.  And of course, this means that Robin may have moved up the waiting list a little quicker.  So this was a “meet and greet” appointment, with the chance to ask any questions.

The procedure and post operative expectations were explained.  It is very important to get moving and exercise the knee, it was stressed, to get things working well again as soon as possible.    Mr Love had a word of advice, “don't get Covid”, as this means the operation date will be set back a couple of months.  This has happened to a few of his patients on the day of surgery, he told us. 

On the way out I stopped to admire a metal sculpture hanging on the wall of the reception room, made up from a vast array of tools.  Very clever indeed, and I’m sure they are not used implements from the operating theatre!

All sort of things in here

The paperwork has already been signed and lodged with Crest, the private hospital, and we have a date for the pre-admission appointment, so things are really moving along.  The date of surgery is 20th September.

Club Rally at Foxton

Our Caravan Club Rally for the weekend was held at the Manawatu Caravan Club grounds, at Foxton Beach.  Let’s go a day early, we decided, so we did, arriving at late morning on Thursday.  We weren't the only ones with that idea, there were three early bird caravans on site.  “No Dogs” allowed, luckily that doesn’t apply to visitors like us who have a cat in the van.

Manawatu Caravan Club grounds

The six of us had 4zees together, then enjoyed a Fish’n’Chip meal from Mr Grumpy’s Fish and Chip shop together in our van in the evening.

Owen, Helen, Don, Pamela and Robin

The rain came down and huge puddles appeared overnight, making it difficult when the other club members arrived on Friday.  In fact, we had a lot more rain than dry spells over the whole weekend.  Friday night was games night in the hall, with people playing various board games together.  We had a treat at Morning Tea on Saturday, with two chocolate cakes passed around the table to celebrate Don’s upcoming birthday.

Happy Birthday, Don

Our Rally Family Sue and Murray had arranged an outing to Mavtech.  The local museum showcases  the history and development of cinema and recorded sound in New Zealand, and is housed in Foxton’s historic Coronation Hall. 

The theatre upstairs showcases vintage films, and the film chosen for our group was “This is New Zealand”, a film made in 1969 for the Tokyo World Expo, showing scenes of our country and highlights of life in New Zealand.  This was followed by a trio of cartoons featuring Daffy Duck and friends, a real blast from the past.

This is New Zealand

A look over the balcony at the display cases below

There was plenty to see in the museum, a great variety of old fashioned radios that most of us could relate to, many in wonderful wooden cabinets.  All sorts of vintage items, including this gorgeous cylinder phonograph made by Thomas Edison in 1915.

Cylinder phonograph from 1915

Look Mum, no hands!  We were treated to a tune from this lovely old pianola

There is a good selection of early New Zealand records on display.  Blue Smoke, sung by Pixie Williams,  is recognized as the first record to be produced locally - from recording to pressing. It was released under the New Zealand owned label - TANZA - To Assist New Zealand Artists. Nine years earlier, Ruru Karaitiana wrote the song while aboard a war ship off the coast of Africa in World War II. 

Blue smoke goes drifting by……

At the conclusion of our visit, the staff kindly took our photo of the staircase.

What a great bunch

We had a Movie and Popcorn night on Saturday night.  The film was Ram starring our very own Kiwi actor Sam Neil.  Set is Australia, it told the story of two warring brothers who had half of the family farm each, and each bred prize winning merino sheep.  A devastating virus caused all the sheep in the area to be slaughtered, or so they should have been – the plot certainly thickened.  Many thanks for the tasty popcorn, Sue. 

Movie and popcorn

Sunday rolled around and it was Morning Tea again.  Flo had brought along a Banana Cake to share, thanks so much Flo.  She enjoys baking, she told us.

Thanks, Flo

Many thanks also to Sue and Murray for a great weekend.  Luckily no one needed Robin’s help to be towed out of the sodden grounds, after all that rain.

How Much do you Weigh???

That's certainly not a question you ask a lady,is it?  With the opening of a brand new Public Weighbridge close to home, Robin took the opportunity to find out the weight of both the car and caravan today.  We were hooked up and raring to go to a caravan rally a day early, because we can, so stopped off down by the station grounds to do the deed.

Weighing and Measuring Solutions have public weighbridges all over the country.  Its easy to book a slot, just go online, follow the prompts and you are ready to go.

Thee new weighbridge

Robin drove onto the weighbridge, being careful to position the car and caravan on the separate areas.

A phone call to the company guided him through the easy process.  Robin confirmed he wanted a record of separate weights, went into the little shed, and low and behold, the computer inside produced a printout.  Just like that!

Mmm, what does it say, I wonder?

So the all important weights are: 

Car, 2900 kg.  The maximum laden weight of the car is 2949, the extra weight equates to adding the generator to the boot, Robin reckons.

Caravan, 2900 kg.  With full fresh water tank, diesel and two gas bottles.

The gross combined mass is 5800kgs - the max is 6099kgs so we are all legal.

The process was quick and easy, and well worth the cost of $25.

No Camping this Weekend

We were intending to go away in the caravan this weekend, but our camping buddies had Covid in their household, so that took care of our plans.  It’s been a while between caravan club rallies – in fact we couldn't make it to the previous rally as our caravan was at Marty’s Panel and Paint getting repaired.   So we rather fancied a weekend away with friends, but what do they say about the best laid plans?

Instead, we met up with Geoff and Eileen for a trip to Palmy for lunch at China Town.  Being a Saturday we didn't realize that the expected “all you can eat buffet” was not on.  So we opted to order from the menu.

What to choose?  At the back of the menu we discovered that we could order a Banquet for Two which gave us soup, entrée, a choice of two mains, and ice-cream for dessert.  This worked out to be quite good value, so that’s what we went with.  There was so much rice and chicken/beef that we both took the extras home in containers.

Plenty of food for lunch

The main reason for our day out was to check out the new to us Ross’s Campsite, where the club is having a rally in October.  So after lunch we drove back down to rural Rongatea, taking a road we hadn't traveled before.  Ross was very welcoming,  and showed us around.  There is a sealed area for just a few campers who arrive, and a paddock which would accommodate our group.  A toilet is available here and we could use the large tractor shed to shelter under if the weather turned bad.

Camp site

The friendly black labrador was a real softy, he came over to lean against me while he enjoyed several pats and head rubs.  There were some calves looking all nice and cozy snoozing in the wintry sunshine.

A booking was made for October, and we left to see what was on offer in little Rongatea.  There was a handy dump station in the middle of town, a fish and chip shop and that's about all.  It’s always nice to go somewhere different for a rally, so the club will return in October.