Off to Ohaupo

It was time for another road trip.  Robin had been given the “all clear” to drive after his knee replacement, and our caravan was waiting for us up at Ohaupo.  Romany Rambler had been driven up to Leisureline Ohaupo just a week before Robin’s knee op, and left there for some work to be done.  They kindly stored it for us until we could collect it again. 

I must say, packing the car for a trip away is so different than packing the caravan.  Various bags, two chilly bins, clothes on hangers, stuff for the cat, all had to be fitted into the car, instead of inside the caravan in drawers, cupboards and wardrobes.  It was finally all packed, and away we went.

 

How to get it all in here, we wondered

Gemma was put in the car too, and off we went, getting away at a reasonable 9.00am.  The weather was good, but cloudy, and  we didn't know what to expect further up the island, as Ex-Cyclone Lola was crossing the top of the country.  Our first stop was at Waiouru, we needed a coffee fix.

Coffee time

And the public toilets look just like a miniature version of the Waiouru Army Museum.  We came across a couple having words outside the facility.  The husband was insisting that he had handed the car keys to her, and she didn't know where they were.  Hopefully they sorted it out so they they could get on their way again.

 

Interesting designed public toilets

For a change, we decided to drive through National Park.  This is always a pleasant drive with much less traffic.  Arriving at Ohakune, the car pulled to a stop right outside the Chocolate Éclair Shop.  How did it know we just might fancy a chocolate éclair for lunch?

The world famous Chocolate Éclair Shop

We stopped at National Park Railway Station for lunch.  Our home prepared bacon and egg sandwiches were delicious, as were those chocolate eclairs.  Time for a couple of photos, the mountain was playing hide and seek under the clouds, not much to see at all.

There is a mountain under there, somewhere

There was a Kiwi Camp close by, so I went to check that out,  Plenty of power points, plus an ablution block too, you pay extra to use the facilities.  The camps are unmanned, and you must purchase a little pre-paid token to use.  And there must have been at least a dozen charging points for electric cars.  We haven't stayed at a Kiwi Camp yet, and I believe that some of them also offer laundry facilities too, not this one though.

Kiwi Camp at National Park

Driving along SH4 we stopped at this pretty little waterfall on the side of the road.  It would be so easy to miss this, so I'm pleased Robin knew it was coming up, and there was a pull off area to safely stop.

Waterfall on SH4

The nearer we got to our destination, the heavier the traffic was, and the rain had set in.  We had been warned that there were road works right outside Leisureline at Ohaupo, and sure enough there were road cones, workmen, and big machinery everywhere.  Arriving at 3.30pm we soon spotted the our caravan and checked in with John.  After the long drive up from home, we asked if we could stay overnight, it was raining, we were weary, and Robin's knee was complaining.  Of course we could stay, no trouble at all.  The car was quickly unpacked, bags carried into the van, and the kettle went on for a much needed cuppa. 

There it is, ready and waiting for us

John departed, and we were on our own.  Gemma was pleased to be out of the car too, there’s always grooming for her to do, then curl up on the bed.  We had a light meal, watched the news on TV, and were in bed at 8.30pm.  It had been a long day.

 

Gemma is tired too

Celebration Lunch

We had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon later this week to check on Robin’s knee replacement. 

Arriving for the appointment

As expected we were in and out of the busy surgeon’s rooms in no time at all.  There were x-rays on the monitor showing the replacement pieces, and everything looked nice and straight.  The wound has healed nicely and Robin’s knee movement is excellent.  We were told that slow improvement will happen over the next year or so, but everything looks fine, and he can do away with the sticks.  Yes, he is cleared to drive, so a caravan trip will be happening in the near future.  Yippee to that! 

There was time to pick up a few things on our list, and then it was lunch time.  We had decided to lunch at Speight’s Ale House.

 

Lots of big hearty meals on the menu so we would only need a much lighter evening meal.  A Speights beer for Robin and a bubbly for me while we checked out the menu.  What to choose, that always takes a bit of thought.  I had belly pork, so surprises there, and Robin chose a big juicy lamb shank.  We hadn't planned on dessert, but a cinnamon oyster each with coffee afterwards was just a mouthful and so light and  tasty.

Beer, wine, coffee and cake!

A good result deserves a celebration lunch

The last few days

What have we been up to over the last few days?  Asparagus season has started so I needed to take a trip to Lewis Farms to get a big bunch of this delicacy.  The grading machines were busy, clatter clatter, keeping the workers on their toes as they sorted the different grades.  Many of the seasonal workers come and stay in their motor homes and caravans and park up on the grounds for a small cost - no travel time to work when you are staying on site.

Grading the asparagus

The farm shops stocks other locally made goods as well, honey, pesto, free range pork products, bread and crackers.  As well as an interesting display of items from earlier times.

Lewis Farms also grow strawberries and raspberries, and real fruit ice-cream is also available, as well as freshly ground coffee.  The shop was bustling with customers so I had a little wait for my coffee fix.

Coffee time

Saturday was Election Day, time for everyone to have their say and go and vote.  We had voted early, but many people like to cast their vote on the actual day.  We watched the TV coverage in the evening, and it was obvious people thought it was time for a change.  Labour was trounced and National will be the new government.  The Special Votes still need to be counted, those from Kiwis overseas, in hospitals, and those who voted outside  of their electorates.  There may well be changes to a few seats, but it seems that overall National will form a government with one or two coalition parties.

Democracy in action

Robin was up bright and early on Sunday morning to watch the All Blacks and Ireland quarter final game in the Rugby World Cup.  The All Blacks won, which takes them to the the semi finals.  There was no time for him to cook Sunday breakfast, he was much too involved in the rugby game!

Sunday morning rugby

His Monday morning physio classes are going well, and Robin is noticing improvements to his knee each week.  As I'm still the nominated driver, its coffee time for me while I sit and wait for him to do his exercise circuit.

We are looking forward to seeing the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday who will hopefully clear Robin to drive again. 

This and That

The General Election is coming up fast, and we decided to vote early.  There were several options of where to go, and after a meeting up town, we popped into the local library. Joined the short queue, handed over our Easy Vote card, received the voting papers, and we were good to go.  Nice and simple, and over in five minutes.  And with voting early, we wont have to join the crowds next week.  Rather, we can sit back and watch the results roll in.

After doing our civic duty we had a rather mundane job to do – take our recycling to the Transfer Centre.  This is generally Robin’s job, but as he has been out of action for a while, I was the driver and we both helped with putting the bottles, cans, plastic and papers into their various slots.

Getting rid of the recycling

After a break for a while while Robin while recuperating after his knee replacement, he finally felt well and steady enough on his feet to cook the Sunday breakfast.  So tasty – we breakfasted on pork sausages, bacon, egg and tomatoes.  Well worth the wait, thanks Robin.

Sunday breakfast

We have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon next week, and Robin is hoping his knee has improved enough to enable him to start driving again.  That will certainly make him feel better, and maybe we can go caravanning again soon too.

Back to Physio

At last, Robin is attending weekly physio, funded by the Health Department as part of his knee replacement surgery.  And getting to these classes has been a mission, as for whatever reason, his name was not on the list of attendees.  But it all worked out in the end, the paper work was sent to the Physio Department, we had an assessment meeting, and now he is attending on Monday mornings with the other recent knee replacement patients.

Week by week, he is getting more movement in the knee.  The Physio lady has some sort of protractor which measures the angle that the knee can bend, and there is a definite improvement there.  So after a set back or two, the pain on movement is slowly improving, and he is starting to feel a lot better in himself.

My job is to drive down to the Health Centre, walk with him to the Physio Department then leave him to it.  There is no need for me to be in there with him as he does the exercise circuit, and I don't think the other patients would like me there invading their privacy while they are also working out.  So I take myself to the café, and relax with a coffee and my book, making sure I’m back in time to collect him and drive back home.

Time for a coffee

Little by little his mobility is improving, although there is a way to go yet.  We have another  appointment with the surgeon in a few weeks time, and Robin’s next aim will be cleared to drive, fingers crossed.