Final Days at ICA Rally

After two nights at Cambridge it was time to move on.  But not before we took a trip to the laundromat.  We arrived back to find that the others in the group had moved on, and our van was sitting there looking very lonely indeed. 

All alone

It was a short 54km trip to Putaruru Golf Club, our stop for the next two nights.  In the afternoon the group was split up between host vans, where we gathered for Happy Hour.  This gave everyone a chance to get to know some of the newer members a little better.

Staying at Putaruru Gold Club

Sadly, our expected local guest who was  coming the the celebration dinner, former member John H had passed away several days ago.  His funeral was on Thursday, and to make it easier for the motor home owner club members to attend, a mini bus had been hired from the local school. Robin offered to drive Allen down in our car to collect and return the van.

Allen, bus driver for the funeral

We decided against going to the funeral, as we didn't really know John at all.  Instead we took ourselves off to the New Zealand Timber Museum, which tells the story of logging in this area.

This place is huge, and  the exhibits were displayed in so many different buildings, and dotted around outside as well.  There is a saw mill set up, and tools of the trade from huge cross cut saws which were later replaced by chainsaws.

Saw mill and blades

Interesting old machinery

Men hard at work in the bush cutting down trees need to be fed – there was a replica cook house on display.

The cook house

This ICA get-together was our “0 and 5” all about sharing with those of our members who are celebrating big birthdays and anniversaries during the year, ending in an 0 or 5.  After our meal the names were called out.  Birthdays first, up they came to be handed a gorgeous hand made card.

Happy BIG Birthday

Next were the anniversary couples.  We were called up for our 40th, and Bill and Val came in at 55, well done!

Happy BIG Anniversary to us all

Awards were also made to long service members, and then the cake was cut and distributed.  Very tasty it was too, carrot cake with yummy icing.

Celebration cake

The rain had set in overnight, and the next morning the ground was sodden.  Everyone was packing up to leave but some of the large motor homes had a little trouble and needed help to get off the wet slushy grass.  No problem, Robin was happy to help again. With the strop in place, it was a matter of gently, gently, and the motor home was pulled off the grass and onto the shingle.

Robin to the rescue

The ICA rally had come to an end, and we all went our separate ways.  It was great to catch up with Bill and Val for the celebration dinner, they stayed at a B&B now they have sold their caravan.  The ICA group only have 2-3 rallies each year, and it was great to meet up with them all again.

Off to the ICA Rally

We enjoyed a golden sunset on our last night in Taupo.  By the time I had spotted this out of the window and  found my camera, the colours had diminished somewhat.  But it was still a pretty sight.

View out of the window

After breakfast the next morning we packed up and started on our trip to Cambridge.  Oh look, another bridge – this one is by the Prawn Farm heading north from Taupo.  And because of the cold temperatures, the geothermal steam is billowing up in big white clouds.

Goodbye  Taupo

A quick stop in Tokoroa at the dump station, then for fuel.  After topping up the car, Robin then replenished the diesel heater tank, we had been using it during these chilly evenings and mornings.  Surprisingly, the diesel heater tank was still about 3/4 full, so it didn't use up too much fuel at all.

We need to keep the diesel heater topped up

Horo Hora Domain was our lunch stop, it’s always so nice and pleasant here.  The lake was calm, with just a few water fowl dotted about, and one lone canoeist doing his thing.

Lunch at Horo Horo Domain

We soon pulled into the Cambridge Race Course, to find most of the International Caravan Club (ICA) group already there.  Once we were slotted into place, steadies down, we took our chairs over and joined the others in the large circle out in the wintry sunshine.  There are only two caravans amongst all the motor homes.

Here we all are

Just inside the grand stand building at the race course is a statue of Cardigan Bay.  Even I, who have zero interest in horse racing, have heard of this legend of a horse.  He won the 1962 and 1963 Auckland cups, the 1963 New Zealand Trotting Cup and the 1963 Inter Dominions. He was then taken to the United States of America and he gained superstar status, racing against the best competition. He was US Pacer of the Year in 1965 and 1968. When he retired, aged 12, with a record of 80 wins, 25 seconds and 22 thirds from 154 starts, he was given a gala farewell at New York's famous Yonkers Raceway. Back in New Zealand, Cardigan Bay lived for nearly 20 years at Sir Henry Kelliher's estate on Puketutu Island, near Auckland.

Cardigan Bay

The following morning most of us headed off to the Muscle Car Garage, and the petrol heads in the group were in seventh heaven.

This must be the right place

Inside the museum was a multitude of bright shiny cars and motorbikes.  Racing cars and street cars galore - where to start looking, there was so much on display.  The walls and ceilings were decorated with posters.

We were told about the motorbike which had it’s engine replaced with one from a helicopter!  Hard to believe, I know, but here it is.

Half bike, half helicopter

It was another world when we stepped through the pair of black doors.  No shiny stuff here, but lots of big machinery.

Working machines in this part of the building

I’d had enough of being on my feet by this stage so went back to the main hall to sit down.  But what’s this?  Not half a car as I had imagined – under the cover was a pool table.  That would certainly make a statement, wouldn't it.

There’s a pool table under here

Robin joined me on the shiny sofa by the 60s style Milk Bar, just a pity it wasn't open and serving milk shakes.  There were plenty of photos on the wall which I recognized.

Changes galore in Taupo

It’s obviously been quite some time since we last stayed at Taupo, and we certainly noticed plenty of changes since our last visit.  The biggest one, as far as we are concerned is the closure of the Taupo Airport NZMCA Park, and the opening of the new Taupo Racecourse NZMCA Park.  Situated north of Taupo and off Centennial Drive, we arrived on Saturday in time for lunch.  Obviously there had been recent rain, leaving the grounds a bit boggy, and some areas closed off.  We soon found a site, and settled in, we are staying here for two nights before departing for Cambridge.

Taupo Racecourse NZMCA Park

There is water available, and rubbish/recycling bins on site, but no dump station.  The camp is bordered by a racecourse on one side, and a motor sports track on the other.

Taupo Racecourse

We spotted an American Airstream on site, such a distinctive shape.  There are not many of these vans around in this country, in fact, the previous Airstream van we saw was operating as a coffee cart parked outside the motor camp at the Blue Lake, Rotorua. 

One of the neighbours, a shiny Airstream van

The camp custodian came calling to check out that our membership and self containment labels were current.  What a small world, it was someone we knew - it was Ashley, a member of the ICA group, who will also be joining us at Cambridge. 

Driving down to the lake  we discovered even more changes along the lake front, not so much parking available along the shore and new round-abouts everywhere.  The iconic Love Taupo sign was still there, but not so easy to get to with no parking available in front of the sign.

The area of Freedom camping down by the lake side is still available, but why anyone would want to park up so close together is beyond us.  We passed by a bevy of boats moored up, some looking rather swish and fancy indeed, together with boats offering excursions.

Boats everywhere

What would the view be like from the Lookout Point, I wondered.  We couldn't see the mountains the previous day when we drove along the Desert Road. Only the base of the mountains were visible, the balance was covered in low clouds.  The view from the hill top across the lake showed the mountains still covered in clouds

View from the lookout across the lake

As we drove to the new Taupo Airport building, we passed the former NZMCA site, looking empty and rather sad and forlorn.  We always rather enjoyed staying there, especially when those crazy people were doing tandem jumps out of small planes and screaming their heads off!  Always such fun to watch while sitting outside on sunny afternoons – not that we would be crazy enough to do such a jump ourselves.

And there it was, the new building.  Let’s go inside and check it out and have a coffee, I suggested.

The new terminal was designed by local company Shelter Architects, built by Taupō’s Watts Construction, and is three times the size of the old terminal, and was officially opened in March this year.    When we ordered our drinks the barista told us that the land for the new terminal was donated by the local iwi.  He also told us that he was sad to see the the NZMCA camp closed as members staying there and visiting the café made up for 60% of his takings. 

Airport Café

The interior of the building reflects the local area.  Huge rimu logs salvaged from Pureroa Forest are a feature, as is the mauri stone that came from Tauhara Quarry.  Giant photos of majestic scenery adorn the walls.

Giant rimu salvaged from the forest

Stone wall art

Out of the café windows was a range of small private planes all lined up.  A commercial flight was due to land shortly, and the café was full to bursting with eager travelers.

Seen out of the window

Finishing our drinks we got on our way, making sure we didn't exceed the 30 minutes free airport parking.  Arriving back at camp we noticed that most of our neighbours had packed up and left, but others soon arrived later in the afternoon to take their place.

On the Road Again

Where to this time?  Our eventual destination is Cambridge, and we left home having a discussion where we would stay tonight.  Perhaps Marton?  No, not far enough, somewhere further along.  Decisions, decisions.

The clouds in the sky looked interesting as we drove towards Sanson, backlit by the wintry sun trying to break through.  Will the rain stay away, we wondered?  We stopped here to top up with diesel, then virtuously drove right past Viv’s Kitchen without calling in for one of those delicious Chocolate Eclairs.  How’s that for willpower?

Cloud formations at Sanson

Just like an excited kid, I’m always so pleased when we are close enough to drive under the Makohine Viaduct.  This impressive piece of engineering was constructed across the 228m of bush-clad Makohine Stream valley. Built between 1896 and 1902, the Makohine Viaduct project suffered numerous delays due to soil conditions, flooding, inclement weather, and a steel strike in England.  At 72m high the Makohine Viaduct was, when completed, the tallest viaduct in New Zealand.  The structure has been upgraded and strengthened in 1932 when heavier locomotives were introduced, and around 1984 in preparation for the railway’s electrification.  Perhaps I was an engineer in a former life, because I’m always rather drawn to interesting bridges. 

Wet and misty photo of Makohine Viaduct

We had finally come to a decision where to stay for the evening, and pulled in to Gumtree Motorhome Park at 1.00pm.   Checking out the sign, I wondered where they keep that koala?  A bit too chilly here for them, I imagine.

We’ve arrive

“Find a site and I’ll come and find you” we were told when we phoned the owner, so that’s what we did, parking along the fence line as instructed.  All alone so far, unless some latecomers arrive.  There have been some changes since we were last here, we remember parking on the grassy bank overlooking the road far below.  At $25 a night on power, we think it is good value, and the charge is only $15 a night without power. Extra costs however if you want to use the showers and toilets.  Water is available, but no rubbish facilities.

All alone at Gumtree, Taihape

Around the camp

Once we arrive Gemma can hardly wait to get out of the car and into the caravan.  Up on the bed she goes for a grooming session then a snooze to get over her jet lag – she’s been travelling over two hours, don't you know.  Then she spotted some big nasty magpies out side, they would soon make mincemeat out of our cat, I think.

She enjoys being a caravan cat

What is the translation of the name Taihape?  There are a couple of variations.  Originally Ōtaihape, ō: place of; tai: angle; hape: crooked; or Place of Taihape (a personal name); or Place of Tai the hunchback. No reason for the name can be given with certainty.

Settlers first took up sections of land at Taihape in 1894. The main trunk railway reached the town in 1904, and through the 20th century the town housed rail workers, as well as catering to local farms and passing rail and road travelers.  Who can remember stopping at “Taihape on the Main Trunk Line”, rushing into the cafeteria for a cup of railway tea and a pie while on the overnight express?