Our Caravan Club rally at Solway Park got off to a great start on Friday, with the sun rise painting the sky a golden apricot colour at the start of the day. Our four early bird members enjoyed morning tea in the sunshine. One by one the other vans arrived and settled in. Sadly the day got colder and colder, sending us inside for 4zees.
Sun rise at Solway Park
Saturday was a better day, and we were joined for morning tea by three members of the local Wairarapa Caravan Club. It was so nice to welcome Harry, Dave and Rae – but I think they came to welcome us to their home town.
Morning tea with our Wairarapa friends
Two of our newer members were presented with their club name badges by our Vice President Don. Welcome to our group,Flo and John.
Welcome Flo and John
The local Farmers Market was being held in Solway Park, just a short walk away behind the grand stand, so we wandered over to see what was available. Mmm, fancy cheese, I couldn't go past that stall. And not just any cheese, this is made from sheep milk! We bought a few other bits and pieces too, including locally grown mushrooms.
At the Market
We had planned a trip to Pointon's Car Museum in the afternoon – this was a real hit with the men in our group. Many, many vintage cars had been collected and restored over the years. I was rather taken with this lovely white Morgan convertible, and I asked the owner to pose with the car for a photo opportunity.
The owner with his pride and joy
There were so many vintage beauties to check out and admire. I was interested to see that some of the early cars had wooden spokes in the wheels, the next step up from a horse drawn carriage, I expect.
Just a small selection of what is on display
Mrs Pointon has a passion for collecting vintage gowns, and I really enjoyed looking at these. Club member Dave did some photo bombing, perhaps he rather likes ball gowns too.
Which one do you like best, Dave?
Everyone was asked to bring a donation of a can of food to the rally, and I collected these and split them into two bags. A lucky draw was held at morning tea on Sunday, with Helen and Val taking home an assortment of cans. Thanks for everyone for taking part.
Bags full of cans
We packed up and left late morning. There is a dump station at this camp, nice and handy indeed. With that all taken care of, we drove down through the Wairarapa towns of Carterton, Greytown and Featherston, then up and over the Rimutaka Hill. I remember seeing photos of this hill when the only way to travel over the Rimutaka Hill was by bullock cart on a rather narrow track. The rough jolty trip would have taken ages.
Over the Rimutaka Hill
Driving through Transmission Gully is quick and easy, our rig travelled along no trouble at all. It was well worth the many years wait to get this road finally built and it is a real asset, we feel.
Transmission Gully
Home at last, it was the usual unpacking, sorting out the laundry and all that sort of thing, before sitting down with a cuppa. Wonder when our next trip away will be?
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