Off to Raumati

It was a beautiful morning when we set off to Raumati.  We were meeting up with our SLG friends for lunch.  On the drive down we saw seemingly thousands of orange road cones from Levin to Otaki.  We sometimes wonder what on earth is going on as we drive slowly along the narrow lanes marked out with long lines of road cones.  A few workmen here and there, some trusty machinery on the side of the road, but certainly no great hive of activity taking place.  Guess the powers-that-be know what is happening.

Raumati is a pretty little town, and on the way down I checked with the all knowing Mr Google the meaning of this Maori place name.  I was surprised to discover that the translation for Raumati is Summer.  You learn something new every day.

Arriving a little early, we had a quick look around the park which contained a miniature railway, open for business every Sunday.  All securely locked away during the week, and we remembered going for a ride here in the distant past.  Also quite interesting, at least to me, was the “talking”  public toilet which has a conversation with customers who bravely enter the door.  I was instructed to push the button to lock the door, and then I was advised that I had ten minutes of time remaining.  What happens then, I wondered?  Will the locked door be flung open for all the locals to see me?  Or perhaps, I thought, this cubicle may have a self cleaning function and overhead hoses will come raining down?  Luckily I pushed the button on the door (“door opening” the voice intoned), well before my ten minutes were up and I escaped in one piece and my dignity intact!

Trish had planned today’s outing, and five of us arrived at the Vintage Village Café for lunch, just beating a bus load of gardening club ladies on a trip who took over most of the remaining tables.  What to have, we pondered.  I ordered a plate of delicious creamy mushrooms while the others all had food from the cabinet – two paninis, a croissant, and a sausage roll, with hot drinks to follow after our meals.

Trish, Calvin, Helen, Robin and Jenny

There is always plenty to talk about when we meet with this group, reminiscing about the state of the country, about what we used to get up to in our younger days, about friends who are no longer with us, and sadly as we age, our health.    Mind you, we are all alive and kicking, so that must count for something!  All this talking took some time, and we finally said our goodbyes and got on our way two hours after we had sat down.

Thanks Trish for taking our photo

Driving back home the weather was still perfect, winter sunshine, a blue sky and no wind.  The Tararua Ranges behind our home had a few cotton wool clouds on the top of the peaks, no sign of a dusting of snow which often appears at this time of the year..

Tararua Ranges

I had forgotten to blog about our previous SLG outing, organised by Robin,  which was held in May. Our friends first gathered here at our home for morning tea, and then we took them a short distance to  a new local café.  Bush Street Café has a South African flavour and although only operating for the previous twelve months or so, has turned out to be extremely popular with the locals.  Set in an industrial area it has a steady stream of  workmen who pop in for their takeaway pies and drinks.  Group of ladies visit for morning tea, and others, like us, stay for lunch.  It is great that this new business is so successful.

Jenny, Robin, Ashley, Calvin and Helen

The South African owner who run this café is extremely friendly and obliging, ensuring that everything is as it should be.  And thanking us for coming when we leave the premises.  A friendly welcome goes such a long way in hospitality, I always think. 

Bush Street Café