Regional Rally - Brookfield's

 It's been a long time since we stayed at Brookfield Scout Camp, Wainuiomata, known as the Outdoor Education Centre.  The land was purchased in 1864 by John Crowther and developed as a farm.  His daughter Mary lived all her life on the property and bequeathed it to scouting on her death in 1958.

The Wainuiomata Caravan Club were hosting the Regional Rally and welcomed us on site into the orchard in the pouring rain.  Three of our members were attending,  the Turnbulls, Archers and us.  Once settled down we went over to the small hall to register, collect our rally ribbons, have a cuppa and catch up with the other attendees.

Here we are, all ready for the weekend

There were 24 vans taking part, from Heretaunga, Wairarapa, Wainuiomata, plus members further afield from the Executive Committee.  One of these members suffered from a tyre blowout while traveling along the Desert Road, so that must have been a trying experience indeed.

Camping in the orchard

The Opening Ceremony took place on Friday evening, and the banner holders  carried the club banners into the hall.  The 22nd Central Regional Rally was officially opened.

Banner holders on stage

The weather on Friday and Saturday really had us on our toes, throwing everything at us.  High winds, heavy rain, a little hail, and an afternoon of thunder and lightning, what else was coming, we wondered.  We won one of the Lucky Van prizes, a lovely print of a Tui to hang on the wall.

Robin with our prize

Then it was time for Club photos and we gathered around our flag.  Many thanks to Rae from Wairarapa Club for doing the honours for us.

Robin, Jenny, Eileen, Geoff, Owen and Helen

The weather cleared sufficiently on Saturday afternoon and we finally had a chance to enjoy 4zees outside.  Then the rain came down again and everyone packed up their folding chairs and tables and scuttled back to their vans.

4zees outside before the rain returned

We BBQed our evening meal using Owens BBQ and ate our meals together.  Next on the programme was a Pot Luck Dessert in the hall, and what an array of dishes to share there was.  Everything from trifles, fruit skewers, steamed pudding, ice-cream, fruit salad and much more.  The planned Campfire evening never went ahead because of the wet conditions, and people gathered in the hall. 

The table was loaded with desserts

After Morning Tea on Sunday the Rally was closed, and we packed up to head back home.  With Waitangi Day on Tuesday, some campers opted to stay the extra two days.  We had a great time, catching up with friends from the other clubs, and those who traveled from further afield from the Executive Committee.   And what a surprise we got when old friends Denise and Clive, who were camping at Brookfields with the NZMCA contingent, came calling.  We hadn't seen them for ages, and Robin and Clive had both served as CCNZ President some years ago.